Pam Geoghegan 10.7.2024

To the Senate committee Please note my feedback in regard to the NDIS amendment bill 2024 below

I am deeply concerned that this government is looking at changing the NDIS in such a way that will make it harder to access funding. The New NDIS bill must not go ahead without proper co-design and input from people with disability. The new NDIS bill as it stands is worse than the proposals made by the previous government, which were not successful and it is extremely stressful to the whole disability community that this government are putting people with disability and their carers at risk of collapse. The NDIS amendment bill 2024 is being introduced without proper consultation or consideration and has already caused fear and discrimination in the community.

I am deeply concerned that the Disability Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse Neglect and Exploitation of people with disability made recommendations which have not been considered by government and that people will continue to live with Violence, Abuse Neglect and Exploitation.

I am concerned that the NDIS review carried out by government has been left unread or is being ignored. People with all types of disability need to be fully consulted before legislation or changes to the NDIS act is even considered. I am deeply upset that this has not been done or considered by government.

The closures of institutions, for people with disability and those with mental health issues was a major step towards an inclusive community, but the cost cutting and fear of governments to stand up for the rights of all people with a disability and answer the many recommendations of countless reviews and the Disability Royal Commission have taken these major steps towards inclusion backwards.

NDIS Amendment Bill 2024

The negative publicity spoken by members of the government has put disability in the spotlight for Australians not living with disability and left a negative impact on inclusion and set us back years in trying to become a fully inclusive community. People with disability deserve the same rights as everyone else and should be respected for their contributions to the community.

The above shows me the lack of understanding of the NDIA, its staff and governments (Federal and State) of the lives of people with disability and their families, their needs and rights under the UN convention which Australia is a signature of. Especially people with an intellectual disability or those with complex communication needs. There is a need for more funding of independent Self-Advocacy and Advocacy organisations – there is such a huge need for these services which is not able to be met by the current funding. All of these organisations need to have their funding increased, and the ILC funding should never have been decreased. Of 582 applications only 47 programs were successful, the funding pool was obviously too small and many important programs that have achieved excellent outcomes to date have no funding in the future. This is not acceptable.

NDIS amendment bill 2024

• Co-design is not required: The Bill now requires the Minister to consider co-design principles, but it doesn’t make this a legal requirement.
• Does not take a Whole of Person Approach: The Bill may not fully account for people with multiple and interrelated disabilities, which could lead to inadequate support.
• Unclear review and appeal rights: The Bill lacks a clear way to appeal or replace your needs assessment.
• Broad powers to require assessments: The Bill provides the.NDIA with broad powers to require medical assessments, which could be difficult to obtain.

• Limits on Support and Spending: The Bill gives the NOIA a lot of power to control how participants use their funding, reducing participant choice and control.
• Punitive measures: The Bill gives the NOIA new powers to change how participants’ plans are managed and raise debts if they decide funding has been misused.