Independent Advisory Council to the ndis
1. Principal Member’s Welcome and Open
1.1. Principal Member’s welcome
The Principal Member opened the meeting at 12.34pm.
The Principal Member acknowledged the Traditional Owners of the lands on which Members, Expert Advisers and attendees were meeting.
The Principal Member noted the apologies from Helen Nugent.
The Principal Member acknowledged the legacy and contributions of former Principal Members, Mr John Walsh AM and Prof Rhonda Galbally AC. Council noted the importance of increasing representation of people with disability within the NDIA Board.
The Council paid tribute to former Council Member Ms Sue Salthouse who sadly passed away in July 2020.
1.2. Minutes, terms of reference and declarations of interest
Council noted the updated register of conflicts of interest circulated in advance of the meeting. No additional interests were declared.
The Council approved the minutes from the meeting held on 25 June 2020 and endorsed the Council terms of reference for 2020-2023.
1.3. CEO address
Mr Martin Hoffman, NDIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) welcomed the new Council.
The CEO noted his commitment to raise the profile of Council within the NDIA. He highlighted the significant improvements in the NDIA over the past 18-24 months and the plans for the future, both in the short and long term.
1.4. Member’s introductions
Council Members, Advisers and the Council team introduced themselves.
2. Agency Response to Council’s Advice
2.1. NDIS supports for participants who are parents
Dr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material noted the updated response to Council’s advice had been endorsed by a subgroup of Board Directors and will be presented at the Board meeting of 26 August.
Members discussed the intricacies of informal supports for parents, and what is considered reasonable and necessary from families and carers.
Members noted the importance of adequate skills and training of staff, and the supports available for women with disability who are yet to gain access to the NDIS.
2.2. Support for decision making in the NDIS
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Independent Advisory Council to the ndis
Council noted the importance of strategic investment outside the NDIA, and the link between NDIA and the Department of Social Services (DSS) who will be managing the information, linkages and capacity building (ILC) grants.
The Principal Member suggested inviting a DSS representative to further discuss this item and the National Disability Strategy at a future Council meeting.
Action 1: DSS representative to attend a future Council meeting.
2.3. Promoting best practice in early childhood intervention in the NDIS
Mr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material outlined the work progressed out of session with a Council subgroup to incorporate Council’s feedback into the revised Agency response to Council’s advice on early childhood intervention.
Mr redacted: s22(1)(a)(ii) - irrelevant material noted an updated response, which includes key performance indicators (KPIs) and focus areas for implementation, will be provided to members after the meeting.
Action 2: Secretariat to include the updated response in Diligent’s Resource Centre.
3. Future Priorities
3.1. Council’s focus 2020-21
The Principal Member noted Council’s work program and highlights from the previous year, highlighting the scope and range of Council’s formal and informal advice.
The Principal Member said that the NDIA Board will be invited to identify priorities for Council’s advice at the 26 August 2020 Board meeting, in line with Council’s Operating Model.
Members discussed self-identified priorities for Council, agreeing to focus in detail on a smaller subset of issues for the greatest impact. The Principal Member thanked the group for providing their initial thoughts and advised the Council a draft work plan will be presented at the September Council meeting for endorsement.
The Principal Member said if Members had further thoughts on Council Priorities for 2020-2021 to email the Secretariat.
4. Meeting close
4.1. Other Business
The Principal Member said the Council’s submission to the Disability Royal Commission in response to the Employment Issues Paper had been well received by the Commission.
The Principal Member confirmed the Minister for the NDIS will be attending the October Council meeting.
The Principal Member confirmed Ms Allan-Zinner as the new Council representative in the Participant Reference Group and thanked Ms Mahmic for her contributions. Council members will be invited to express interest to share representation in the PRG with Ms Allan-Zinner.
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Ms Paior shared with members the launch of the website www.selfmanagerhub.com.au which is the result of an ILC grant.
4.2. Next Meeting
The next Council meeting is scheduled for 9 September 2020 from 2.30 — 5pm.
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