Capability and Culture of the NDIA
Submission 187 - Attachment 2
ANSWER TO SENATE QUESTION IN WRITING
QUESTION NO: 4248
DATE ASKED: 01 October 2021
Senator Jordon Steele-John asked the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, in writing, on 01 October 2021:
How is the National Disability Insurance Agency and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality Safeguards Commission specifically ensuring human rights, equity and “Duty of Care” for citizens who are unable to self advocate and who require NDIS supports to vote and exercise their human rights in order to comply with mandatory Commonwealth Electoral law?
Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC– The answer to the Senator’s question is as follows:
The NDIA and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission support the rights of all NDIS participants eligible to vote in elections, to do so. Participation in federal elections for those eligible to do so is a key measure of social inclusion, which is why the NDIA tracks and reports on participation in federal elections as an important measure of social and community participation. The NDIS Participant Outcomes Report for June 2020 showed the percentage of NDIS Participants aged 15 to 24 who were eligible to vote and actually voted at the last federal election increased from 71.1% to 84.4%.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework (the Framework) is intended to uphold and respect the rights of people with disability, including the right to dignity and respect; to live free from abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation; and to participate and full inclusion in the community. In addition to the Framework, the NDIS Code of Conduct requires workers and providers who deliver NDIS supports to act with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decision-making in accordance with relevant laws and conventions. Consistent with the Framework and NDIS Code of Conduct, providers of supports to participants are required to act in a way that respects a participant’s right to full inclusion, including participation in elections in accordance with federal electoral law.
Capability and Culture of the NDIA
Submission 187 - Attachment 2
Where a participant requires support to participate in an election, participants may use core supports in their plan to facilitate their attendance at polling places, or to access alternative voting measures. Additionally, NDIS Local Area Coordinators may link participants with mainstream supports and information, including that available for people with disability from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). For participants who have support coordination funded in their plans, their support coordinator may provide linkages to the AEC and coordinate the provision of core supports to enable electoral participation. Where a participant requires access to advocacy in order to participate in an election, either the participant’s LAC or support coordinator may facilitate linkages to advocacy services.
Further information regarding the AEC’s supports for people with disability can be found here: https://aec.gov.au/assistance/.