National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Submission 297
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Australia
deeply concerned that the motivation for these amendments is totally budget/money.
It is cruel legislation that denies basic rights to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Many of us feel a personal betrayal from this minister and this government, that there would appear to be such a deliberate and calculated campaign to discredit an entire community to “save” money and discredit what has been achieved by the NDIS so far.
Every government system has/is open to abuse and misuse – it is the responsibility of government to manage the system to avoid this, to find it and to prosecute where appropriate.
Somehow this government has decided to blame the people who are the most vulnerable in this situation – those with disability and their families/advocates.
This legislation is focussed on money and control. Reducing money available directly to disabled people and increasing control by organisations and those without disability. It is incredibly hard to believe this is possible in 2024. I very much hope we are beyond going so far backwards.
In all my experience over the last 40 years – money is most wasted/misused by large Providers and by Government – not by individuals. How incredibly ableist is this minister and this government to be commenting on a disabled persons need to live alone or with others, support needs, sex needs and to put this in the public domain for all to comment on. Perhaps we should survey, comment and place in the public domain all members of parliament, all business managers and how they live, how they are supported and their sex needs.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Submission 297
We know that institutional care is more expensive, poorer quality and way more likely to cause abuse, restrictive practice and more. This is our history. And yet somehow, much of this legislation returns us to “trust the minister/trust the NDIA, we know what is best for you”!! For people who have lived through this, it is genuinely so hard to believe and see this rhetoric again.
Many of us are incredibly tired, disheartened and just “getting old”. Already we have been working hard within the NDIS and trying to make it the best it can be. Disabled people are ready to help, to work, but they have not been consulted – so again we are going into battle for basic rights that those without disability take for granted.
This bill moves further away from the original than ever.
It is dangerous and will set this country back years.
I think the Bill should be 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 thorough consultation with people with disability and the representative organisations.
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, Annette Demack