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 10:26:49 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 work for the campaign for an NDIS.

Over the last 12 months people with a disability, their families, carers and disability support workers have spoken to me about the state of our disability system. I have listened to the stories of isolation, exhaustion, financial crisis resulting from a system that fails so many Australians. I not ashamed to say, that many times I have left these conversations to sit in my car and cry.

Few stories have moved me more than the father who rang me not long after his daughter had passed away. She had required round the clock care for the five short years of her life. During that period, this man explained over the phone that financial and emotional strain saw both his small business and his marriage fail. With no access to appropriate respite care he and his wife had taken shifts watching over their daughter without a break.

There are hundreds of thousands of stories just like this one across Australia. The truth is our system fails more people than it helps.

Main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community:

• Ensure support and equipment is available when needed,
• Better access to mainstream support and services,
• More rights for people with a disability

Most important services for the NDIS to provide:

• Equipment and home/vehicle modifications,
• Accommodation options,
• Flexible in-home/outside home respite

I support the introduction of the NDIS.

The NDIS is a once in a generation shot at fixing an unfair system.

It will make Australia a better place and be remembered as a great social reform.

The NDIS will also have significant economic benefits:

Australia performs poorly when compared to OECD countries when it comes to workforce participation for people with a disability and their carers.

The productivity commission found that the NDIS and Disability Support Pension (DSP) reform is likely create additional employment growth of 320,000 people with mild to profound disabilities by 2050.

This increased workforce participation would grow GDP by 1% by 2050 the equivalent of $32 billion in that year alone.

PwC Report Findings

In a report released in December 2011, PwC found that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is likely to increase the number of carers in the workforce by 80,000, leading to an additional $1.2 billion in GDP per annum over the next 10 years.

I support the legislation.

I agree for my submission to be made public.

Regards, MR Daniel Kyriacou