NDIA Accountability Project

Exclusion of New Zealanders on special category visas

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 4:31:14 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.

The NDIS excludes New Zealanders on special category visas. This is discrimination on the basis of nationality which is contradicts Australia’s committments to the UN regarding discrimination.

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

  • Better access to education and work opportunities,
  • More opportunities to participate in the community,
  • More rights for people with a disability

The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:

  • Support for families and carers,
  • Accommodation options,
  • Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

Why wouldn’t I? Its a no brainer, but we need to go further and have universal no fault injury insurance.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Mr Richard Hockey