Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Australia

deep Dear Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee,

I am writing to share my concerns about the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024. I am a family member of a person with disability.

The NDIS is very important to me. It helps live independently. It has relieved me of many services, that I, as an aging person/carer have had great concerns over the years as to who or how will continue, without my support. Both Financially and Physically.

NDIS has assisted greatly in preparation for this independence now and in the future.

I am worried about the following parts of the Bill:

• Reasonable and Necessary Budgets Changing from ‘reasonable and necessary supports’ to ‘reasonable and necessary budgets’ will limit the supports people can get. People need support to live an ordinary life.

• Narrower Definition of Supports The new definition of supports are too narrow. It will exclude important supports that people need to be part of the community and achieve their goals.

Increased Powers for the NDIA

The NDIA would have more power to make people undergo assessments or provide information. If people do not comply, their plans could be suspended or revoked. This could be very hard for people with disability, especially during a crisis or if we have complex needs.

Restrictions on Self-Managing Funding

The NDIA could stop people from self-managing their funding if they have made mistakes before. This goes against the principle of choice and control.

Overall, I am worried that this Bill moves away from the original vision of the NDIS. The NDIS is meant to give people with disability choice and control over their supports. This Bill is more focused on saving money than helping people with disability.

I think the Bill should be paused or stopped. There should be real co- design with people with disability. We need changes that truly meet the needs of people with disability.

I urge the Committee to recommend significant changes to this Bill or making other moves to save money. There must be thorough consultation with people with disability and our representative organisations.

       has had animals involved in many of her therapies, with

amazing results. Animals are documented and have been researched to show great assistance with therapies.

The NDIS is too important to get wrong

We must get this right, with

people with disability at the centre of the process.

Thank you for considering my submission. I would be happy to provide

more information if needed.

Yours sincerely,

Jennifer Patullo