National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Submission 241
This is my second submission regarding the amendments to the NDIS Bill. I am deeply concerned that the proposed regard for people with disability in the co-design process fails to hold the government accountable to its own Disability Strategy 2021-2031. This strategy emphasises the importance of building an evidence base to drive improvements for people with disability. However, the proposed amendments fall short of this commitment and fail to promote evidence-informed policy and practice.
The Minister’s approach appears to neglect a comprehensive evidence base from diverse disability research. His language demonstrates a lack of disability awareness and intelligent, accessible design. The focus on spending alone and using examples out of context highlights the absence of robust disability research behind these amendments. We should be hearing about the positive outcomes for people with disability who receive support through the NDIS, yet crucial issues such as employment, life expectancy, social inclusion, economic participation, and health are conspicuously absent from the discussion on the Bill amendment. To truly understand and measure outcomes beyond mere financial metrics, it is imperative that we adhere to Australia’s Disability Strategy.
Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 clearly states:
“Building the evidence base is a key part of the Strategy. The Strategy will do this by supporting the development of disability research, including the translation of this research into tangible concepts and policies supporting the outcomes of the Strategy. This will encourage continued reform of disability and mainstream policy in government, in business, and in the non-government sector. The National Disability Research Partnership (the Partnership) will be instrumental in building the evidence base. The Partnership will facilitate a collaborative, translational research program through partnerships between academics, people with disability, their families and carers, peak advocacy and consumer groups, governments and service providers to conduct cutting-edge policy-relevant research that enables people with disability to participate fully in society. The Partnership promotes the use of evidence-informed policy and practice to ensure people with disability have equal opportunities and are included in all aspects of community life. The Partnership focuses on disability and mainstream services including education, health, housing, and justice, and facilitates research recognizing the diversity of experiences for people with disability. The Partnership’s research agenda and practical guides for disability-inclusive research will help drive improvements for people with disability.”
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Submission 241
“The views of people with disability, disability sector stakeholders, and diverse groups within the sector must be heard and considered.”
and
“The Engagement Plan will also ensure people with disability are connected with governments and can be involved in guiding governments to consider how policies and programs impact their lives.”
With the current changes to the Bill being mere scaffolding and the details of new rules to be devised later, once the Minister has the power to decide these rules, there is a lack of credibility to the value of these amendments other than their fiscal impact on the budget. This approach will not effectively utilise or improve the NDIS. Instead, it will weaken the scheme by ignoring the practical strategic principles already tabled by the Australian Government to enhance the lives of people with disability.
It is crucial that we uphold Australia’s Disability Strategy to ensure that policies and practices are truly inclusive and based on a solid foundation of evidence. We must move beyond mere financial considerations to genuinely improve the lives of people with disability.