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: Sunday, 23 December 2012 9:26:53 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.

I benefited from the Veteran’s Affairs Dept support of my family while I was his carer (Dad had been a prisoner in Changi in World War 2.) It showed me what is possible when government has the will to provide excellent care. We live in a wealthy country. This standard, set by the Dept of Veteran’s Affairs, should be the norm for all those living with disabilities and their carers.

The present system, where accident victims are forced to appeal in Court against insurance companies only makes lawyers rich. I know of one case where barristers argued for a whole day over the provision of generic versus branded nappies for a child who was being cared for by his grandmother after Mum and Dad were killed in a car accident and their little baby was left severely maimed. This symbolises the waste of time, effort and money when disability is caused by an accident.

Another case I know was where a man was paralysed by a freak wave at Maroubra. He was not covered by any insurance and the family not only lost its main breadwinner, but had to modify the house to accommodate him (ramp and bathroom).

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 a disability can plan their lives and pursue their goals and dreams,
• 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:

• Support for families and carers,
• In-home care and domestic assistance,
• Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

I support the NDIS because I believe that our disabled and their carers deserve the best we can provide. To be born disabled or to have accidental disablement are often matters of “luck”. There but for grace, go I. It is important for us as a society to care for those less fortunate and this includes our disabled brothers and sisters. Not only do they benefit from being accorded help as a right, rather than as a charity, but we benefit from exercising our compassion, our sense of justice and our generosity. The more help they can be given to integrate them into our society as full members with acknowledged rights and responsibilities, thenthe better Australian society and culture will be.

I agree for my submission to be made public

Regards,

Ms Dianne Mullin