15 August 2024
Vision
Hearing

Watch Prime Minister Anthony Albanese open the centre for innovation in the video below.

Delivering equal opportunities for people with hearing or vision loss is what we mean by ‘a fair go’ in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the opening of the NextSense centre for innovation.

This is world's best practice, and it's being done right here in Macquarie. What it is as well, is what a future made in Australia looks like.

— Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Officially opening our centre on the Macquarie University campus, Prime Minister Albanese said it was “as impressive as it is important”.

“We have long been at the forefront of medical and scientific innovation,” he said.

“We have a universal health system built on fairness, a system that is the envy of the world. And, driven by the great ethos of the fair go, we share an instinct for opening the doors of opportunity and possibility for all Australians.

“All of that is so important to who we are as Australians. All of that comes together here.”

Hundreds celebrate the milestone

Close to 700 people gathered both in person and virtually from our sites across Australia to participate in the launch of the $75 million facility. Clients, staff, partners and supporters came together to connect with each other and explore the site’s best practice accessible design and construction.

Guests also learned more about some of those who had benefited from working with NextSense. A series of video vignettes played from the stage, and interactive story screens positioned in the central courtyard, shared perspectives of those who live with hearing and vision loss, and how accessing the right support has helped them thrive.

A beacon for new ideas

Opening the official proceedings, NextSense Board President David Dinte said the centre would be a beacon for new ideas, best practice, collaboration, and world-leading services and education.  

It's a building that will help change lives for people with hearing and vision loss in Australia and make an important contribution to global knowledge.

— David Dinte, NextSense President

And he acknowledged the important contributions of others to us arriving at this significant milestone: a Federal Government $12.5 million contribution, ongoing support from the Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale, the vision and leadership of Macquarie University and the NextSense Board, and many others.

Shifting the dial

NextSense Chief Executive Chris Rehn the centre represented an important opportunity to increase our commitment, scale up, test new ideas and technology, ask new research questions and expand the knowledge base. 

If we want to shift the dial for all people with sensory disability and drive a more inclusive Australia, we need more collective thinking.

— Chris Rehn, NextSense Chief Executive

“We need to advance the existing ecosystem and bring more policy makers, researchers, industry and service providers together to solve problems collaboratively. We want knowledge to cycle in and out of this place. It is as much about learning from others as it is about what we can offer", he said.