Members’ liability limited
ABN 11 553 592 765
Submission for the Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act Savings Funds
Special Accounts Bill 2016
Introduction
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 established the National
Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to implement the Scheme in the trial sites. This submission will outline some general comments with respect to the Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act Savings Funds Special Accounts Bill 2016.
The submission will also provide a brief conclusion section and one potential recommendation. This submission is a result of a consultation and review process conducted within the Activ Foundation. Staff reviewed the following documentation:
National Disability Insurance Scheme Savings Funds Special Accounts Bill 2016
Second Reading Speech made by the Minister for Social Services, Mr Christian Porter on 31 August 2016 Bill Digest No 1 2016-17 advice provided by Paula Pyburne: Law and Bills Digest Section.
General Comments
The Activ Foundation considers that the proposed legislation to establish the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Act Savings Fund Special Account is a very prudent and sensible measure to ensure and guarantee the funds required to provide long-term support to people living with disabilities. Activ perceives the positive long–term benefits this legislation will provide to people living with disabilities, their family members and carers. This is extremely important given the permanent nature of disabilities as outlined in the original legislation.
Activ Foundation provides its strong support for the legislation and will continue to monitor its operations and outcomes over time. The potential impact for Activ is positive in that it will secure the NDIS funding model and thereby underpin the future revenue streams upon which all our current and future customers will rely.
Members’ liability limited
ABN 11 553 592 765
Specific Comments
The only perceived weakness in the Bill is Clause 9 in that the proposed review of the operation of the NDIS Act Savings Fund Special Account that will take place in the 2026/27 financial year needs to be tabled in both houses of Parliament and published for the information of all people within the disability sector. Activ Foundation includes this as a proposed recommendation in order to strengthen the legislation. The recommendation reads “that the review of the operations of the NDIS Act Savings Fund Savings Account in 2026/27 is tabled in both houses of Parliament and published”.
Conclusion
The proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme Act Savings Funds Special Accounts Bill 2016 will
act as a robust instrument to ensure the ongoing implementation of the National Disability Insurance
Scheme and to manage any potential funding shortfalls. Some comments and a proposed
recommendation are provided to inform the review and to enhance the operations of the legislation.
Thank you for allowing Activ Foundation the opportunity to provide comments on the review. We would be pleased to provide more detailed information and explanation as and when requested.
Danielle Newport
Chief Executive Officer
Activ Foundation
30 September 2016