Tearful Gillard brings in disability bill Julia Gillard (R) has introduced the key measure to set up the DisabilityCare Australia scheme. SANDI and Sophie may not be household names but their hopes and dreams have reduced a prime minister to tears. Julia Gillard on Wednesday introduced to parliament a bill to hike the Medicare levy to pay for the new national disability insurance scheme. Recalling a thankyou card from 12-year-old Sophie, who has Down Syndrome, and 17-year-old Sandi, who is in a wheelchair, the prime minister said DisabilityCare Australia would let them realise their dreams for greater opportunity. "There will be no more 'in principle' and no more 'when circumstances permit'," Ms Gillard said, fighting back tears. DisabilityCare starts in seven weeks time and there will be no turning back. The levy boost from 1.5 per cent to two per cent is expected to raise $20.4 billion over four years. "For everyone who thinks, 'It couldn't happen to me, could it?' this bill brings peace of mind," Ms Gillard said. It brings the knowledge that a scheme as well-designed and stably funded as Medicare will be here when you need it. The introduction of the draft laws came a day after Treasurer Wayne Swan delivered his sixth budget, which included a 10-year funding pathway for the disability care scheme. The coalition has pledged to support the levy rise but queries where the government will find the remainder of the funding. Every state and territory apart from Western Australia has signed up to the scheme.