National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 [Provisions]
Submission 102
17 May 2024
The Australian Senate Standing Committee On Community Affairs Legislation Committee community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au
To Members of the Legislation Committee,
Thank you for the invitation to make a submission to the Standing Committee on Community Affairs Legislation Committee related to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 (the Bill).
The Disability Council NSW (the Council) is a statutory body that advises the Minister for Disability Inclusion on emerging issues relating to people with disability and monitors the implementation of government policy.
The Council supports the Australian Government’s commitment to creating a unified ecosystem that supports all people with disability. Furthermore, the Council endorses the aim to return the NDIS to its original intent of supporting people with permanent and significant disability as part of the larger landscape of supports outside the NDIS.
The Council feels it is essential to ensure foundational supports are in place, particularly for non-participants in areas such as health, which require support for NDIS participants and non- participants. As the Bill sets out strict guidelines for participation in the schemes, there is a risk of prematurely withdrawing support from people when no other supports are in place. Therefore, the transition to a new framework must be co-designed with people with disability who are scheme participants and non-participants. Additionally, the Council requires assurance that the transition to a new support framework will be transparent, detailed, and publicly available.
The Council underscores the importance of registration of providers, endorsing the primacy of choice and control. It also stresses the need to understand that costs will be controlled in areas of operational confidence, with the understanding that a vulnerable cohort urgently requires the protection of registration (and other protections).
The Disability Council NSW provides independent advice to the NSW Government on policies that advance the equality, inclusion and interest of people with disability www.disabilitycouncil.nsw.gov.au
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 [Provisions]
Submission 102
The Council emphasises that before transitioning to a new framework, decision-making resources must be in place for participants, particularly those with intellectual disability and complex communication needs. Additionally, other safeguards must be strengthened, particularly for this cohort, noting that registration (and investigation) will not avoid ‘phoenixing’ and other practices designed to avoid government regulation.
The Council suggests the implementation of additional safeguards such as strengthening the Official Visitors Scheme, participant self-advocacy training, and enhanced family and community protections.
Yours faithfully,
Ms Jane Spring, AO Associate Professor, Jill Duncan Chair, Disability Council NSW Deputy Chair, Disability Council NSW
The Disability Council NSW provides independent advice to the NSW Government on policies that advance the equality, inclusion and interest of people with disability www.disabilitycouncil.nsw.gov.au