NDIA Accountability Project

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Minutes of the Independent Advisory Council (IAC) to the NDIS Meeting #2 – 15 August 2024

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Minutes of the Independent Advisory Council (IAC) to the NDIS

Meeting #2 – 15 August 2024 1.00pm – hosted on MS Teams

Members

Ms Leah van Poppel, IAC Principal Member Adjunct Associate Professor Jennifer Cullen AM Mr James Manders Dr Leighton Jay Mr Gavin Burner Ms Sam Paior Dr Sharon Boyce Ms Tricia Malowney OAM Dr George Taleporos Ms Sylvana Mahmic

IAC Independent Consultants

Ms Samantha redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material IAC Senior Independent Consultant Ms Lucy redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material IAC Independent Consultant

IAC Expert Advisor

Mr Jeff Smith, CEO DANA

NDIA Representatives

Mr Kurt Fearnley AO, NDIA Board Chairperson Dr Denis Napthine AO, NDIA Board Member Dr Peta Seaton AM, NDIA Board Member Ms Corri McKenzie, DCEO, Service Design and Improvement Ms Donna redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material BM, Office of the Participant Advocate (item 2) Ms Genevieve redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Director, Digital Delivery (item 5) Ms Hannah redacted: s47F - personal privacy Assistant Director, Foundational Communications (item 5) Ms Janine Mohamed, DCEO First Nations (item 6)

IAC Secretariat

Ms Kathy redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Director, IAC & Strategic Advice Ms Sarah redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material Assistant Director, IAC Secretariat

Attending

redacted: s47F - personal privacy Mr Mick redacted: s47F - personal privacy Executive Officer to the NDIA Board Chairperson

Apologies

Mr Mark Tonga, IAC Member Ms Rebecca Falkingham, NDIA CEO

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1. Welcome and Open

1.1. Welcome

  • The Principal Member Ms Leah van Poppel welcomed members and guests to the meeting, including Mr Jeff Smith who attended his first meeting as IAC Expert Advisor.
  • Adjunct Associate Professor Jennifer Cullen acknowledged the traditional custodians of the lands that attendees gathered on.
  • Mr Kurt Fearnley, Dr Denis Napthine and Dr Peta Seaton attended as representatives of the NDIA Board.
  • Ms van Poppel welcomed Ms Corri McKenzie to the meeting and noted Ms Rebecca Falkingham’s late apology.

1.2. Confirmation of minutes and matters arising

  • The minutes of the May IAC meeting were confirmed by IAC Members.
  • The matters arising were confirmed by IAC Members with the exception of Action 4 which will remain open.

1.3. Declarations of interest

  • redacted: s47F - personal privacy
  • Ms van Poppel spoke to related actions from the May IAC meeting:
    • Information had been provided to IAC Members about the longevity of interests declared on the Register
    • IAC Members were reminded to complete both columns of the Register, explaining how the interest relates to the NDIS.
    • IAC Updates (Agenda Item 4) preceded Agenda Items 2 and 3 to accommodate Agency availability.

2. IAC Updates

2.1. Member reports from the ground

  • Key themes from Member reports:
    • Annual Price Guide - increases leading to providers exiting the sector, of particular concern in regional, rural and remote areas with limited providers. Providers are moving away from provision of NDIA supports
    • Plan reviews and rollovers - check-in phone calls leading to unanticipated outcomes about plans this is often without opportunity to request a formal plan review

2

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    o  Anxiety about extent of coming change following the Disability Royal Commission
        and NDIS Review and proposed legislative changes before Parliament.
         Importance of communication being balanced, fair and safe.
    o  Foundational and educational supports - Queensland is leading the way with
          reform yet what the other States and Territories will do is not known.
    o  Positive feedback on the Co-design work the Agency has done on a new plan
          format
    o GARMA - important engagement and experience for members of IAC to attend

ACTION 1: IAC to send a letter to NDIA staff who supported Board and IAC at GARMA Festival

Ms Malowney left the meeting at 1.57pm.

2.2. Agency response to issues raised by Members • Ms McKenzie noted:

    o  the legislation currently before Parliament to reform the NDIA and outlined the
            legislative process should the Bill be passed
    o  the Agency is addressing concerns about plan continuations and confusion about
         communications, scripts and messaging through service design improvements
        and resources for planners
    o  work underway as part of the new planning framework to reduce the backlog of
          plan and participant requested reviews
    o  reports of poor regionally-based experiences of Community Connections plans
    o   efforts to increase the number of planners to work with people in custodial
           settings to do their plans to ensure supports are in place when exiting custody
    o  the focus on planners becoming more familiar with PACE and the benefits of
        more structured note taking
    o  information and insights provided into boarding homes and hostels in Queensland
         about which Ms McKenzie sought permission to share within the Agency.

ACTION 2: Ms McKenzie to provide key Home & Living messaging for IAC Members to use when responding to queries. ACTION 3: Ms McKenzie to provide a summary of current legislative changes as they are accepted by the Lower House. ACTION 4: Agency to brief the IAC on the Australian Services Union and the pricing decision.

Ms Malowney returned to the meeting at 2.32pm.

2.3. Board Chair Update • Mr Fearnley provided a short update from the NDIS Board.

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       o  The anxiety these changes are having on participants as well as the team at the
           Agency and within the advocacy sector was acknowledged.
       o  Mr Fearnley reflected on Board and IAC attendance at the Garma Festival and
                    will recommend attendance by representatives each year as a means of learning,
              leadership and understanding.
       o  The Quarterly Report to be issued today.
       o  The Agency to review Participant Service Guarantee via co-design.

2.4. CEO Update
   •  Ms McKenzie provided updates on behalf of the CEO as she responded to Member
       reports from the ground.

       The meeting adjourned for a break at 2.55pm; resumed at 3.05pm.

3. July IAC and Reference Group Meeting Debrief

3.1. Meeting Debrief
   •  Members provided feedback about their experiences attending, either in person or online,
       the inaugural joint meeting of the IAC and its Reference Groups in July. Suggestions
     were made to improve potential future large-scale IAC forums.
   •  They agreed the forum delivered positive outcomes and alignment for the IAC and its
      Reference Groups.

ACTION 5: Circulate summary of feedback to all IAC Reference Groups.

  1. IAC Work Plan 2024-25

    4.1. IAC Work Plan • IAC Members shared their views on how to prioritise areas of advisory work, set out in the 2024-25 Work Plan. They agreed to strengthen overarching governance arrangements to better link the IAC with its Reference Groups. • Members also highlighted the need for greater awareness about how the IAC and its Reference Groups interact with the Agency and Board to deliver its strategic advice. • Ms McKenzie shared information about the Delivery Roadmap the Agency is developing in anticipation of the legislative changes, funding and timeline announcements. The roadmap includes co-design as well as implementation. The IAC and its Reference Groups will feature in the roadmap at regular intervals for ongoing engagement.

ACTION 6: Schedule an out of session meeting next week for IAC to discuss suggested options for prioritisation and operationalisation.

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ACTION 7: Circulate diagram demonstrating how the IAC and its Reference Groups interact with the Agency and Board regarding advice.

     Ms Malowney left the meeting at 3.20pm and returned at 3.30pm.
       Mr Smith left the meeting at 3:30pm.

5. NDIA website and content redevelopment project

5.1. Project overview
  •  Due to time constraints, this item was to be rescheduled as an IAC out of session
     meeting.

       The meeting adjourned for a short break from 4.15pm to 4.20pm.

       Mr Smith returned to the meeting at 4:20pm.

6. First Nations Update

6.1. Update from First Nations Deputy Chief Executive Officer
   •  Ms van Poppel welcomed Adjunct Professor Janine Mohamed to provide a briefing on
     developments regarding First Nations governance at the Agency.
   •  A proposal to dissolve the First Nations Advisory Council and establish a First Nations
      Reference Group to sit under the IAC was discussed.
   •    It is hoped this will address governance and operational issues experienced throughout
       the 6 FNAC meetings held over the last 18 months.
   •  An aim of the change is to strengthen the voice of First Nations people with disability and
      improve engagement opportunities.
   •  IAC Members expressed unanimous support for the proposed governance changes.
   •  IAC members determined to establish an IAC First Nations Reference Group.

        Adjunct Professor Mohamed left the meeting at 4.36pm.

7. Other Business

7.1. Justice Statement
   •  IAC Members noted the letter of thanks from the NDIA Board Chair for its Justice
      Statement.

7.2. IAC and Reference Group Induction
   •  A suggestion was made to co-design further induction resources to ensure technology,
         IT, engagement, and a suite of materials including videos for accessibility.

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   •  Many of these aspects are being considered by Inclusion Australia which has been
     engaged to produce best practice engagement and induction resources for the IAC and
           its Reference Groups.

    Mr Smith left the meeting at 5.06pm.

8. Meeting Close • The next meeting will be on 11 and 12 September, with a pre-brief on 11 September. This will be a hybrid meeting in Perth. • Ms van Poppel closed the meeting at 5.09pm.