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Members thanked the Board Chair for her contribution and commitment to people with disability, acknowledging her significant achievements on improving the Scheme through a very challenging environment.
2. Co-design Advisory Group feedback
2.1. Overview and discussion of Co-Design Advisory Group documents
Ms Van Poppel provided Members with an update on the progress of co-design, acknowledging Ms Cullen, Dr Jay and Dr Boyce on their work on Co-design Advisory Group.
Members discussed the documents shared in advance of the meeting and provided the following feedback:
- Information reads well, they were supportive of the ‘living document’, noting changes can be made when necessary
- The need to sharpen the language around cultural safety ensuring information is respectful to diverse communities
- Importance of flexibility with timeframes, noting external environmental factors may impact and require re-prioritisation
- Managing workload of Members and Agency staff to avoid burnout
- Disability Representative and Carer Organisations want the Agency to commit to genuine sector consultation.
3. Information Gathering for Access and Planning project
3.1. Overview of project and discussion
Dr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant provided Members with an overview of the Information Gathering for Access and Planning project, advising this will be co-designed with the disability community.
Dr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant advised that external reviews of current processes for information gathering will be conducted to provide the Agency with a baseline and detailed understanding of areas for improvement. Dr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant noted that a steering committee will be established, and Council will be asked to nominate two Members to participate.
Members thanked Dr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant and his team for their progress to date, noting the project was well planned and are excited about the improvement this will bring to the disability community. Council stressed the importance of this work to people with disability and the need to get it right, saying the project should also consider the complexity of disability and information gathering.
Members also said clear and transparent communication with the disability community and sector about all co-design priorities would be critical to success.
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4. Support for Decision Making
4.1. Update on project and discussion
Dr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant provided Council with an update on the Support for Decision Making project, including the recent release of the consultation summary report. Dr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant noted this project will also be co-designed with the disability community and two Council Members will be nominated for membership to the steering committee.
Council raised the following points:
- The Agency is doing comprehensive work and widely consulting experts in support for decision making.
- Funding for advocacy services to support decision making for people with intellectual disability, along with more training for Agency staff about people’s rights, is critical to the project’s success and empowering participants.
- Support for decision making is not just about funding, but finding solutions to systemic issues.
- State and territory governments need to come together in a unified approach to support for decision making.
- People with disability must be given information they understand, especially people who have little choice/decision-making opportunities.
- Public advocates and public guardians should be added to the policy’s stakeholder list.
- The Agency should use learning from the Disability Royal Commission to help inform its work on support for decision making.
5. 2021 Reflection and Activity
5.1. Minister for the NDIS
Acknowledgement of Council’s work during 2021 The Principal Member welcomed the Minister and thanked her for making time to join the meeting. The Principal Member acknowledged the working relationship developed over a short time between the Minister and Council and said Members looked forward to working with her in 2022.
Minister Reynolds reflected on her time as Minister over the last eight months, noting the NDIS is a Scheme that is globally unique and is transforming the lives of Australians with disability.
The Minister praised the Agency, Board and Council on getting the Scheme to the point it is today. The Minister thanked Members for their commitment, engagement and frank and fearless advice to the Board about Scheme improvements.
Minister Reynolds advised Board appointments will be officially announced on Friday, including the appointment of Ms Van Poppel as a Director. She commended Ms Van Poppel’s impressive
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leadership, especially shown throughout Council’s consultations and advice on Scheme improvements. The Minister also mentioned Ms Van Poppel would be appointed as Principal Member to Council, with public announcements to follow.
The Minister thanked outgoing members of the Board, including Dr Nugent and Ms Kruk, noting their guidance has been pivotal to Council’s success.
5.2. Council reflections
The Principal Member reflected on Council’s work for the year, noting their advice on Scheme reforms was both brave and transformative. She thanked all members for their resilience, through impacts of the pandemic and increased engagement activities.
Members also provided their reflections, including that:
- they had delivered quality advice and worked under pressure, to make the Scheme better for participants and people with disability
- although there is not always unanimous agreement on matters, Council is a safe space to collaborate and openly share ideas
- the Board and Agency staff have upheld the spirit and essence of the NDIS. This is helping to support people with disability.
- Council’s Principal Member, Independent Consultant and Secretariat have shown leadership and delivered quality work.
- honest and open consultations with state and territory government stakeholders has nurtured relationships and trust, progressing their mutual commitment to improve the NDIS.
5.3. Secretariat 2021 wrap up
The Secretariat provided a brief light-hearted view of Council’s year in numbers, which was well received by Members.
6. Meeting close
6.1. Other Business
The Principal Member, on behalf of all members, expressed thanks to Mrs Huett for her commitment and effort to the Scheme and raising the voice of people with disability on Council. She said Mrs Huett has been an important member of Council, her lived experience has provided Council’s work with a personal touch and has driven change to ensure our documents and words are more accessible. This has resulted in a cascading effect within the Agency as they strive to improve document accessibility.
The Principal Member advised the recruitment process for a replacement for Mrs Huett may take time, so Mr Gavin Burner (Member of the Intellectual Disability Reference Group) will attend the
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February and March Council Meetings, ensuring the voice of people with intellectual disability is heard at Council Meetings.
Ms Van Poppel, on behalf of Council, thanked Ms Kruk for her exceptional leadership, guidance and mentorship over the last 18 months, noting her commitment to raising the voice of people with disability.
6.2. Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled on 25 February from 12.30pm-4.00pm (AEDT).
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