National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024

Submission 106

Council for the Australian Federation

Senator Marielle Smith Chair Community Affairs Legislation Committee

Via email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au

Dear Senator

Thank you for your letter of 5 July 2024 inviting submissions to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee’s further inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024.

As you are aware, the Council for the Australian Federation (CAF) made a submission to the Committee’s initial inquiry into the Bill on 17 May 2024 and we acknowledge the Committee’s June 2024 inquiry report.

As stated in that submission, states and territories remain deeply committed to progressing critical disability reforms in a way that will lead to positive outcomes for people with disability. Our commitment extends to working with the Commonwealth to build a strong, fair and sustainable NDIS that continues to provide support to people with disability into the future.

While we acknowledge the amendments made to the Bill in the House of Representatives, which go to some of the issues raised in our submission, many of our issues remain relevant and are yet to be addressed. Consequently, we request you consider our initial submission in your current inquiry deliberations.

In particular – and as stated in the initial CAF submission – CAF is concerned to ensure the Bill does not risk creating service gaps for people with disability by altering the operation of the NDIS before improvements are made to the broader disability ecosystem, including the implementation of Foundational Supports. Further, CAF is concerned to ensure that states and territories’ role in scheme governance is maintained, to support safeguarding against unintended consequences which may lead to worse outcomes for NDIS participants. Key recommendations in the initial CAF submission (including recommendations 2, 6, 8 and 10) speak to these critical issues.

States and territories remain wholeheartedly committed to supporting disability system reform to improve the experience and outcomes of people with disability, including changes to strengthen the NDIS, but only if done properly.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to your Committee’s inquiry.

Yours sincerely

Hon Peter Malinauskas MP Chair Council for the Australian Federation 16 / 07 / 2024

GPO Box 2343 ADELAIDE SA 5000 | www.caf.gov.au