Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012

From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Friday, 25 January 2013 4:00:29 PM

Please consider this email a formal submission by me to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012.

The current disability system has many problems that need to be addressed.

I was assessed as having a disability in 2010. I attended a Job Capacity Assessment that stated I had the potential to provide 25+ hours / wk towards working for an employer. The virus I caught in 1954 has over the years created stress, anxiety, mental and physical damage. Upon finding myself out of work again I have asked Centrelink to send me to a disability job provider and their response was that they needed / required 3 Medical certificates before they could consider my request.

• Now i have had polio since 1954
• I have worked most of my life
• I dare say I have the late effects of polio syndrome
• My body has been in a state of deterioration since 1954

Surely after being assessed in 2010 as having a disability then I should be provided with immediate and unquestioned support from Commonwealth Government Departments.

• I am not seeking a pension, capable of working, BUT with an employer who will take into account my limitations.
• I had worked with an employer who was interested in the short monetary gain by employing me. When that period was over - so was my job. Those employers should be fined.
• The job providers I was with - did not find me work. I found it. These providers were only interested in retaining me on their books so they could be paid. I attended appointments set down by the job providers, meeting to discuss and review my situation - NOT by a social worker BUT by a Part-Time Uni student studying accountancy. NO REAL experience or understanding of a medical condition. When working with Qld Health a Doctor there examined me and wrote a letter to my supervisor requesting there be a reduction of duties ( collecting the mail) as walking was exasperating my condition. My supervisor was reluctant to change my duties and handed the letter back to me. I suggested to my supervisor the letter needed to be placed on my personnel file. I am unsure if this took place. The Qld government at the time advertised they supported older and disabled persons…. This statement was and remains a load of rubbish.

NO the disability system does not work for me.

The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:

Ensure support and equipment is available when needed, More employment of people with disability and less reliance on social welfare, Older parents and families will not worry what happens when they can no longer provide support

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

Therapy and allied health services, Employment support, Case management, planning and coordination

Support for NDIS Introduction

Attention: ALL MEMBERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES - STATE & FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS

I am an Australian. My ancestors came out in the first fleet, along with them came disease, which became uncontrollable and lingered within the following generations. A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of an organism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Infectious diseases – Viral systemic diseases (A80–B34, 042–079)

• Oncovirus
• Immune disorders - HIV - AIDS
• Central nervous system - Myelitis –
• Poliovirus
• Cardiovascular - Respiratory system/acute viral nasopharyngitis/viral pneumonia
• Digestive system
• Urogenital You have the idea, So, need I go on – NO! ( Don’t you just hate -Sarcasm ) However, I firmly believe all MP’s need to seriously ensure their commitment for full funding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme when discussed in parliament, is approved and legislation passed by all members regardless of political persuasion. The funding to provide the scheme to work could come from
• NO FURTHER PAY / SALARY INCREASES TO ANY SENIOR PUBLIC SERVANT - FOR THE NEXT 10YEARS
• NO FURTHER PAY / SALARY INCREASES TO ANY MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, WHETHER THEY BE A MINISTER OR BACKBENCHER – FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS
• Reducing the superannuation payout of MP’s present and back dated, 20 years
• No GOLD CARD FOR ANY SENIOR PUBLIC SERVANT AND ANY MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, WHETHER THEY BE A MINISTER OR BACKBENCHER.
• No Commonwealth vehicles to be used by MP’s. No payouts to drivers.
• MP’s to use taxis and public transport at all times. Instigate a private contractor to supply transport
• All MP’s - Stop flying 1st class – Start flying economy, sitting with the plebs
• Stop spouses travelling with MP’s anywhere in the world to any conference
• Add your suggestions here

You have the idea! Born 1952, 1954 I was playing with neighbours and I kept falling over. The local GP suggested I had a virus. Eventually I was admitted into hospital as my body started to deteriorate with paralysis taking a hold. My muscles wasted away. After many operations and plenty of physiotherapy I regained strength and the capacity to walk with the aid of boots and calipers. I am a 60 yo survivor and I have on a number of occasions been a recipient of the dole due to my inability to comprehend I suffer from anxiety, depression etc. I have private health insurance, I work two jobs

• Clerical officer 2 x 8 hr shifts
• Business Class Taxi driver 2 x 12 hr shifts I need a rest day between jobs as my legs have arthritis, I am weak in the legs and my feet feel on fire. Recently I purchased my second pair of medical made approved boots partly paid for thru the Medical Aids Assistance Scheme (MASS). Purchase price of $1700.00 shared 50 / 50.

Having a NDIS would assist me, to some degree. Any help is appreciated. My parents forked out thousands of Pounds & Dollars. Their unconditional love & support provided me with a reasonable life. However I struggle each day with my individual pain I attempt to make the most of life I can.

Personally I do not see why my parents had to accept a financial burden for a virus which the government of the day had I guess, limited resources to combat. However since that era, governments have used resources in other areas of health and have not put monetary resources aside to assist citizens, who were unfortunate enough to have suffered from a virus which they had no control over being exposed to.

I have this feeling past governments have treated people with disabilities as if they were a lost generation who now are seeking the support they have always been entitled to receive. In my opinion politicians of all philosophies have failed to accept their party have had a duty of care to all citizens, not just a favoured section of the population.

So much for MP’s to think of including a provision of financial support in a budget? Well, placing money aside for that rainy day has now created an embarrassing situation for all political parties, as all MP’s realise that their country’s Duty of Care has not been taken seriously by any of their fellow politicians.

In my opinion the parliament has for such a long time neglected to provide a NDIS for all Australian residents.

I am urging all MP’s to lock in their commitment for full funding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Cheers

David Anderson,

I agree for my submission to be made public

R regards,

David David Anderson