Independent Advisory Council
1. Principal Member’s Welcome and Open
1.1. Principal Member’s welcome
The Principal Member Ms Leah van Poppel welcomed members and guests to the meeting and noted this was a hybrid meeting. Ms van Poppel noted Ms Rebecca Falkingham and Mr Kurt Fearnley were apologies for the meeting today.
Ms van Poppel acknowledged and congratulated reappointed IAC members Ms Sam Paior, Dr Sharon Boyce, Dr Leighton Jay, Mr Mark Tonga, and Ms Tricia Malowney. Ms van Poppel also acknowledged and congratulated Mr Gavin Burner on his appointment as an IAC member.
Ms van Poppel acknowledged this was the last meeting for IAC member Ms Liz Reid. Ms Reid has made significant contributions to the IAC over her terms. The IAC extended its sincere thanks to Ms Reid for her contributions and wished her all the best in the future.
Ms van Poppel acknowledged that today was a significant day for the NDIA and for the IAC, with the release of the NDIS Review final report. Ms van Poppel noted that the NDIS Review will be a major focus for the next few months.
Since the IAC last met, International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) has been celebrated. Ms van Poppel encouraged members to watch the Disability Oration by Ms Natalie Wade. The NDIA held a panel event for IDPwD. The panel included Board Chairperson Mr Kurt Fearnley and was attended by more than 3,000 Agency staff members.
Ms van Poppel acknowledged the Australian Human Rights Commission’s appointment of Ms Rosemary Kayess as the Disability Discrimination Commissioner. Ms van Poppel will meet with Ms Kayess to discuss IAC and how the Human Rights Commission might assist the IAC from time to time.
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Ms van Poppel introduced Ms Samantha redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material as the new Senior Independent Consultant to the IAC. There is recruitment underway for a second Independent Consultant who will primarily support the IAC Reference Groups.
IAC Reference Groups have all held meetings since the middle of October 2023.
Ms van Poppel provided an update on IAC Advice including how progress reports will be provided in 2024 and how the NDIA is considering current and past advice as part of the work related to Reform for Outcomes (RfO), Disability Royal Commission (DRC) and NDIS Review.
Ms van Poppel informed IAC members that the Principal Member Reports from the recent out of session meetings are available on Diligent.
Ms van Poppel provided an update on the Intellectual Disability Reference Group. This included ongoing conversations about how to make the meetings more accessible for everyone. In the last meeting, traffic light cards were introduced. Members can use these cards to call out language or words they may not understand, in a safe a respectful way.
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Members who attended the recent Intellectual Disability Reference Group meeting reflected that this system was effective for members. The IAC adopted the use of traffic light cards for this meeting.
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1.3. Confirmation of minutes and matters arising
- The minutes from the November IAC meeting were confirmed by members with no requested alterations.
2. IAC Updates
2.1. Reflections of day 1
- In recognition of the release of the NDIS Review today, this Agenda item was not discussed.
2.2. Members’ reports ‘from the ground’
- Ms van Poppel and NDIA Representatives led discussions on the NDIS Review final report. Members welcomed the release of the NDIS Review final report. Members noted the need for more time to examine and understand the NDIS Review report, and the response of the disability community. Members also noted that there are no changes immediately to the NDIS, and that the Minister has committed to working closely with the disability community on the changes recommended by the NDIS Review.
- Members noted that the Australian Government, together with states and territories, will consider the NDIS Review final report and its recommendations, likely providing a response in early 2024.
- Members shared their early thoughts on the NDIS Review final report:
- It is important that the IAC and NDIA proactively share available accessible information about the report with the community, to reduce any confusion or fear.
- Some people in the disability community may worry about some of the recommendations, and what these mean for them personally.
- It is important that all governments work together so that people with disability have the information they need about any changes.
- Main initial concerns on potential implications relate to self-management, provider registrations, foundational supports and digitisation.
- Ms Corri McKenzie provided a high-level overview on some of the recommendations and said the NDIA would welcome IAC insights and advice.
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Members agreed to have further discussion when they have had the opportunity to read the report in full. Members would then like to consider areas where the IAC might develop advice related to the report.
2.3. Board Chair and CEO Update
Mr Kurt Fearnley and Ms Rebecca Falkingham were apologies for this meeting.
3. Hospital Supports
3.1. Hospital Supports — Principles for Decisions
Ms Clair redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material and Ms Jackie redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material provided an update on the review of Hospital Supports — Principles for Decisions.
Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material said that Service Guidance and Practice has previously talked to the IAC about the principles. There have also been discussions with participants and people with lived experience about the principles.
Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material explained these principles have been written for the participant, rather than the hospital. Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material provided a summary of the updates that have been made based on feedback from the IAC:
- The principles clearly say that when you go to hospital, you have a right to communicate in the way you choose.
- The principles will apply throughout the participant’s hospital stay, not just at admission.
Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material sought agreement on the principles and ways this information can be provided to participants via products, tools and resources.
Members acknowledged that they felt the document had really improved and that Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material and her team have truly listened and incorporated their feedback into the document.
Members recommended that any resource development needs to have a co-designed approach.
- elderly
Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material thanked members for their feedback.
Action 1: Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material to come back to IAC with changes to the principles and a proposal on how related resources will be co-designed.
4. NDIS Review
4.1. IAC to watch broadcast of address to the National Press Club by The Hon Bill Shorten MP
Members had the opportunity to watch the broadcast of Minister Shorten’s National Press Club address on the NDIS Review.
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5. Department of Social Services Updates
5.1. Disability Strategy Update
Mr Luke redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material provided an update on the Disability Strategy.
He emphasised there had been a lot of work to engage with the disability community and include people with disability into policy and consultation processes. DSS recently published Good Practice Guidelines for engaging with people with disability on the Disability Gateway website.
Governance of the Strategy is occurring across multiple levels, including the Disability Reform Ministers Council. Going forward, there will be a focus on accountability for actions and transparent reporting on progress.
5.2. Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program
Mr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material provided updates on the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program. As at the end of September 2023, there were 350 active ILC projects.
Two new ILC grant opportunities were recently announced, with outcomes to be announced in 2024.
It was noted that considering the NDIS Review, there may be future changes to the ILC grants.
6. Co-Design
6.1. “Reform for Outcomes” Working Group Updates
Mr Aaron redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material, General Manager of the Co-Design and Engagement Branch, provided an update on the Reform for Outcomes (RFO) working groups.
The 6 RFO working groups have determined how they will work together and tightened clarity on the scope and purpose of the work of each group. Each working group has developed a workplan. The workplans may change once the government responses are available for the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review recommendations.
The Participant Advocate Branch is considering how to better support participants in the co-design process. It was noted this includes considerations of how to increase diversity within the RFO groups.
The RFO Implementation Steering Committee has developed a standard glossary of terms frequently used in the NDIA and the disability sector. Evaluation is being embedded in the RFO program of works. There will be an external entity engaged to conduct a retrospective review to capture insights from previous co-design activities.
Mr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material and Ms van Poppel thanked IAC members who participate in RFO groups for their contributions.
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Action 2: Reappointed IAC members to be offered a briefing session on each of the RFO working group activities.
7. Ageing Participants
7.1. Ageing Participants
Ms Samantha redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material, Senior Independent Consultant, discussed the proposed scope of IAC’s advice about participants who are ageing.
Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material highlighted the recommendations in the NDIS Review that relate to older people and people over 65. This included Recommendation 2, Action 2.11 (The Australian Government should implement legislative change to allow participants once they turn 65 to receive supports in both the NDIS and the aged care system concurrently and clarify when aged care supports are reasonable and necessary).
Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material suggested members engage with their communities and focus their ‘Report from the Ground’ for the February IAC meeting around this area advice.
Members highlighted the need to consider the experience of First Nations people when developing the advice.
Members will also consider any stakeholders in the sector that the IAC should consult with in addition to Young People in Nursing Homes Alliance, and First Peoples networks and organisations.
An IAC Working Group will be set up to oversee the development of the advice.
Action 3: Members to advise Ms van Poppel and Ms redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material if they wish to be on the Ageing Participants working group to guide drafting of the advice.
8. Workplan
8.1. IAC Workplan
Ms van Poppel informed members that the current IAC workplan is due to expire at the end of the year. Members determined due to the current environment to continue with the current workplan. Future workplan directions will be considered in early 2024.
Ms van Poppel noted that the IAC may decide to provide some short and targeted advice to the NDIA and Minister around some of the NDIS Review recommendations.
Action 4: IAC to determine short pieces of advice following further briefing from the NDIA on the NDIA Review recommendations.
Action 5: IAC to include discussion on the workplan for 2024/25 at its February 2024 meeting.
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9. Year in Review and 2024 Meeting Dates
9.1. IAC and Reference Group Dates 2024
- Ms van Poppel noted the information provided in the meeting pack and that members should now have meeting dates for 2024 in their calendars.
- Noting the engagement with members to determine these dates, Ms van Poppel asked members to let the Secretariat know as soon as possible if there are any major issues with any of these dates.
10. Meeting Close
10.1. Other business
- Ms van Poppel once again thanked Ms Reid for her contributions to the IAC.
- Ms van Poppel also informed IAC members that Ms Kerry Allan has made the decision to resign from the IAC. All members extended their thanks to Ms Allan for her significant contributions to the IAC.
- Ms van Poppel closed the meeting at 4pm.
11. Next meeting
The next meeting will be hosted online on 29 February 2024.
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