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: Saturday, 22 December 2012 11:44:13 AM
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.
My mother and father have spent most of their lives supporting the people who are disabled by society. I have seen first hand what not enough funding can cause for not just the patients (who are often mis-treated, raped, left to fester in their own feacies), But also for the carers of these people. My mother used to work night shift in a house in Sunnybank, Qld, and would often start her shift at 6p.m, and not leave until 8a.m, sometimes later, because there is no-one that wants to do the job. The government, and society, can not expect these people to be working these hours without some sort of payment above minimum wage.
I understand that these two people might be a minority in the institute, but I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone who works in this industry. They work long hours, have little support from peers, no mental health care of their own, and to top it off, can barely scrape by on $42, 000 a year, including super.
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
- Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
- People with disability can choose who comes into their home,
- Removal of age barriers to services for children
The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:
- Life-skills,
- Support for families and carers,
- Flexible in-home/outside home respite
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
Given more funding, more people will be willing to work in this field, because there wont be the long days and nights of waiting for someone else to take over your post. Coming from the social side of this, the people in care will not need to wait for their next carer to come and help them out, either. It’s important because this industry breaks up families and gives little support to the ‘common’ man.
I agree for my submission to be made public
Regards,
Miss Katherine Bill