National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1597

Att: NDIS Amendments Senate Inquiry Members

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1597

structural flaw into the legislation. NDIA has a longstanding history of unqualified staff exploiting ‘weaponising’ vague concepts in the legislation and applying internal deliberative procedures that are directly at odds with legislation; of making arbitrary decisions that contravene recommendations made by treating health professionals;and creating unfit-for-purpose NDIS plans resulting in participants having to endure the lengthy & often traumatising appeals process.Legislation that embeds lack clarification key concept escalates both risk agency’s incompetent decision-making as well catastrophic outcomes participant prospective\particpants. Every aspect proposed legislative changes significant concern me personally disability community en masse.Nothing more than expectation prospectives will have exhaust all available treatment options regardless socioeconomic geographical or barriers person may experience establishes reverse means testing instrument make access class-based.This unreasonable impossible many contemplate achieving.Eventually people limitless money able accessing NDIS those without ability exhausted all available treatment options incrementally excluded.Accessing all available treatment options any health disable related matter Australia highly exclusionary due exorbitant costs associated private healthcare excessive waiting lists public healthcare.Most Australians mercy postcode lottery comes publicly provided subsidised service.Government seeks embedding instruments inequity NDIS legislation exacerbate already chronic levels multilayered inequality Australia.Moreover there fundamental cognitive dissonance between claim participants regarded whole-person perspective.NDIA has traditionally weaponised concepts such primary ‘secondary diagnoses’ and ‘access disability’ deny funding multiple coexisting fluctuating impairments.Unqualified staff don’t skills training discern which impairments correlate with each other; they cherry-pick information disregard devalue lived experiences overrule recommendations treating professionals experts.All this incompetence at NDIA exceedingly costly yet government turns blind-eye it all.The proposed amendments to the NDIS legislation give god-like powers minister decimate scheme further purely interests budget-balancing explicit instructions disregard safety wellbeing human rights of participant.Based my NDIS-related experiences observations,NDIA always sought disregarding legislation operational conduct.Amongst things,

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment

Submission: Submission-1597

resulted-in-an-escalating-AAT-ART-case-load,-where-tribunal-members-have-consistently-overturned-NDIA-misfeasance.-Of-the-cases-that-don’t-make-it-front-of-a-member,-many-aredragged-through-theprocess-formonths-years-by-NDIAlawyerswho demonstrateaflagrantdisregardforthemodellitigantobligationsthey’reboundby-only-to-havethemofferasettlementthedaybeforethehearing.It’sastoundingthatyet- againourgovernmenthasblinkersonwhenitcomestoNDIAsonngoingmisconduct, misfeasance&malfeasanceincludingtheaductoftheslawyerstempleys.Ifthere’sbloatedspending,blow-outs&thenDISISdeemed“out-of-control”,theinefficiency-is-first-&foremost,comingfromwithinthagency.

**NDIA-characterisedchronicsystemic&Culturalfailure;thedeliberate/&orincompetentcreation&administrationofinaquate&incorrectplans;&suchlongstanding& comprehensivefailuresalllegislattedtimeframesthaovernmentnowseeksamendtimetramesratherthanenforceexistingones.Nevermindthetimeframe failuresimpactingactualvulnerablehumanbeings. NDIAcan’towontabidebylegislattedimeframes,sotothegislationmustbecangedtofallinto line withNDAIs misfeasance.

The-government-seeminginglyindifferenttonDIAsmisfeasance&malfesanceits negativeimpactsonthedisabilitycommunity.NDSI legislationwaschangedunderBill ShortenaligningitmorcloselywitheNDIASgeneralcultureofofdisregard.Stillthis didn’tdiscourage-NDIAMbehavingbadly.Infact,itemboldened-it,making NDIAs appetiteforestructiondisabledpeoplemoreravenous.-NDIANOWAITFOR legislatiopassit simplyoperatesasiseefitwaitsthelegislationtocatchup.Asfisthis isn’tfrustrating enough,the-governmentsresponse totheescalating caseloadatAAT/ART iseffectivelycastratedtribunalwherecomes-NDIS matters.Theonlydecision-AATTMberswillabeabletosuggestindeedsuggest, notdirectorencorse)toNDIAthatirunsameassessmentusingthesame information,a-thirdtime,toseetheresultsaredifferent.Thisseemslike thedefinition of stupidity&certainnotcosteffective. The unft-for-purpose bastardisationof i-CAN assessmentbeingdesignedt excludeerasefailasmanycohortspossible. NDiasweaponisedapproach assessmentsplanningconsistencyhighlightshowwoefully-unqualifiedskilled inexperiencedNDAIsworkforceinmakingcriticaloftenlifeordeathdecisions about vulnerable people’s lives.Multilayeredmulti-agencysystemoffailure hasestablishedliterallysetsonamerry-go-roundnowhere-The only conclusion I can draw isthatgovernmentintendsdiscouragepeoplfromseeking

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1597

the reasonable & necessary support they require to exist, or die trying. The appeals process will be a complete sham; costly, unfair \è entirely devoid of due process.

the cuts to social & community participation will likely result in my death. My disabilities cause me to be severely isolated & unable to leave my house without support. Every minute of support I receive is utilised to its maximum potential, whatever that looks like on any given day. I don’t function like a machine; my state of existence isn’t predictable day-to-day. The proposed amendments create a situation whereby many disabled people will be at risk of reduced funding by virtue of the unpredictability of their impairments & ultimately at risk of severe & dangerous isolation. For many participants, the NDIS is their lifeline & often the only connection they have to other people. I fall into this cohort, existing in poverty, in a rural location with no friends, family or community connections. If my social & community participation funding were to be slashed by 30-50%, rationed at 3-monthly intervals & not rolled over at the end of start of each ration period, I wouldn’t be able to plan & budget my funding effectively to accommodate for the nuances of life. I’m perpetually having to navigate support & therapy healthcare providers being unavailable at short notice, going on leave, getting sick, quitting \☔ moving on. The premise of “rationed funding periods” operates from the assumption that a person’s unique life circumstances, needs & priorities occur as neatly portioned events that never deviate from the schedule & aren’t impacted by the needs & priorities of external forces. Applied indiscriminately it’s punitive isolating disempowering unfair unreasonable unwarranted & unjustified Senior NDIS bureaucrats sat before the senate in 2023 assuring the committee that rationed funding periods if legislated would only ever be applied as last resort under specific circumstances where participant has demonstrated inability to budget or presents risk non compliance due things like exploitation prior bankruptcy health issues reality this is NDIA commenced applying rationed funding periods indiscriminate every new plan generated whether there with participants budgeting arbitrary reversing decisions been made difficult costly expensive participants NDIA never held accountable so continues worsens challenge senator committee politician make progress any area need such circumstances ration crumbs most NDIS participants allocated

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1597 My social & community participation funding enables me to do in-person grocery
other shopping
to attend healthcare appointments. I previously used this funding to facilitate visiting my elderly, avanced-dementia suffering mother but a NDIA worker told me visiting my mum was an everyday expense
andthatthe support Irequiredtodoitwas ineligibleforfunding.IwastoldthatalthoughmyCorefundingsufficienttoaccommodatethelegitimatecostsassociatedwiththesupportImquiredtovisitMum it wasn’t considereda reasonable
necessaryuseofmymoney.The fact thatvisiting mumsforms part of my goals is deemed irrelevant Thefacttha tI wouldn’t needsupportifIwasn’tdisabledalsoirrelevantbecauseitisdoesn’trelate odisability/or impairmentsNDIA has decided are my “primary disabilities”. Withthisinmind IknowIllneversee Mum alive again or likely be abletotend her funeral. The proposed amendmentsdo nothing address rampant misconduct running throughNDS service provision network both registered unregistered. Themost egregious sharp practices Ive personally experienced have all been at hands register providers Noneexistingprovidersare because being registered red flag for me. Ive subjected every kindsharp practice provider could dream Because self managed Imable catch stop any issues soon evident Safeguards in place reporting NDIS fraud &misconduct useless faced end result shrinking pool services available won’t accept mis conductorfraud Systems administrating invoicing compliance unfit purpose confusing clandestine convoluted unless participant self-managed can see what going on with invoicing This facilitates immeasurable non-compliant spending although participants farthest removed from this behaviour they’re ones who endure consequences Theproposedamendmentsthe NDIS legislation do anythingaddress price gouging over-servic coercivepractices quality control,service delivery deserts rural regional inaccessible providers ability charge separately various forms travel transport costs agency summarily refuses allocate dedicated funding for The commodification of disability service delivery effectively thrown Australia’s disability community wolves market no support advice advocacy demonstrable rights NDIS continues languish under indifference government disabled people blamed punished dysfunction whilst

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1597 corporate providers devour all the independent providers & grow bigger, stronger but rarely better. My experiences at the mercy of NDIS providers \(NDIS Quality \Safeguards\(Fraud Fusion Taskforce), have resulted in the metastasisationof my impairments across every aspect ofmy being.The safeguardsin place are unfit-for-purpose; they haven’t mitigated misconduct amongstthe existing registered provider cohort so mandating registrationacrossthesector will likely see this arrangement continue, at great costtothesceme \(far greatercosttoto disability community.Thegovernmentapproachistopunishdisabledpeopleratherthan addressingprovidermisconduct \(and toxicityofofthemarketgenerally. The proposedlegislativechanges erode people’ s Human Rights \(Disability Discrimination Act Protections,presenting an undeniable pivot away from th eUNCRPD,specifically: • Article 5 - equality & non-discrimination •Article 7- rightschildrenwithdisabilities •Artic lel l2-equalrecognitionbeforelaw • Art iclell3-equ alaccess tojustice • Artikel ll7-respectforphysical \(mentalintegrity • Artículo19-independence \(inclu sion • Artikel 20-personalmobility • Artikel 23-respect forhome &family • Artikel 24-education • Artikel 25-health • Artikel 26-habilit ati on\(rehabilitation • Artikel 28-adquatestandardoflivingIn practice,NDIAhasbeen pivotingawayfromupholdingthe commitments outlined in the UN CR PDatleastaslong as I’vebeendealing with NDIS.As wit hprevious legislative changestothen NDISAct,the governmentseeksalignthelawwit hin D IA’s conduct,rather than forceN DI Aoperatewithinthew law.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1597

The proposed amendments to the NDIS Act also risk breaching the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, specifically: • Section 5 - reasonable adjustments, comparative & less favourable treatment • Section 4 - direct discrimination • Section 6 - indirect discrimination • Section 11 - unjustifiable hardship • Section 24 - provision of goods ¶ services Having been involved with the legislative changes since their inception around mid-(2022), with the “Getting the NDIS Back on Track” Act 2024, I’m deeply cynical about the senate committee process. I watched & participated in hours and hours of Senate Committee hearings consultations inquiries roundtables When legislation was passed it abundantly clear government’s commitment consultation co-design entirely disingenuous Feedback provided disabled people throughout consultative process summarily dismissed evidence used justify changes ultimately passed law flimsy lacking credibility cherry-picked Upon reflection seems decisions already made cheques signed ink dried deals would decimate premise choice control stripping scheme due process fairness dignity; that Consultation period leading passing legislation largely performative Current proposals change NDIS Legislation Integrity Safeguarding Amendment 2026 Securing Future Generations Amendments Bill continue tradition denying disabled access Due Process Fairness Dignity Feedback from disability community should be considered most important information taken into account when considering NDIS legislation yet we’re subjected villainisation gaslighting weaponised agency shows flagrant disregard for legislation at mercy it I confident consultation process again performative Disability Community being humoured window collectivise outrage fear however decisions are already made done ink-dried This idea has me wonder whether contribute submission all concluded despite cynicism indifference indignity nothing more than demonstration

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1597

solidarity with my community, then it's worth risking physiological collapse in order to contribute.

The changes proposed will result in immeasurable harm & preventable deaths. For me, the frustration, exhaustion ‘ almost constant state of heightened anxiety about the ongoing weaponisation of NDIS”;is physically; pyschologically › spiritually unsustainable.Knowingthatthe rules can change at any time can leave me unsupported at drop-of-a-hat.has created a cycle unresolvable anxiety for me.Anyofgoals I dreamt achieving.anyopportunities could grabbed hope had becoming functioning participating independent membercommunity since evaporated.It genuine challenge remain hopeful enough continue getting out bed each day.Increasingly wish not wake up.Silent solidarity knowing many others similar position headspace keeps going. Each relevant review leading establishment NDIS.Productivity Commission’s Inquiry.NDISR Review RoyalCommission.happened because existing systems providing support services disability community.were fractured failing disabled people Australia.The consistent themes brought light reviews were living crisis.families disabled overwhelmed unpaid care.market public service delivery inconsistent affordable most need.itpeople basic human rights frequently disregarded.NDIS intended direct response findings.supposed be based insurance-driven system designed facilitate funding individualised packages early years intervention focus choice control building capacity independence.promoting upholdingsdisabled dignity right free from discrimination.This far cry realities today. Any new or amended legislation must honour & uphold core findings those foundational reviews inquiries.Theymustnot erode principles justified creation first place. TheNDIS Bill mustfocus real issues identified repeatedly all reviews: fraud, price gouging market failure provider exploitation.These areas where reform urgently needed - restricting participant rights limiting plan reviews narrowing eligibility.To weaponise sideline revoke thebasicrights disabled have fought long hardfor.rights thatAustralia has pledged commitment toupholding protecting promoting would

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 1597

send the overt message that disabled people don’t matter. Existing under the weight of disabled people’s contempt, is beyond challenging.

I implore the senate committee to amend the proposed suite of amendments to ensure it protects participants, supports carers, upholds human rights ⚡ remains true to the original intent of the scheme: those with disabilities could be participating members in their communities and broader society; having equal standing within employment education housing social participation.Passageofthe proposedamendmentdisregardsthefoundinglevelprinciplesNDIS;itisfurtherweaponiseanalreadydeeplyproblematicscheme.Passageofoftheproposed amendments will see a continuation failure address legitimate sources dysfunction plague NDIA’s operational misconduct its disregard due process toxic culture sharp practices providers registered unregistered are able perpetrate without consequence.ExpectingdisabledAustraliansabsorb impact this reform is unhinged unconscionable. Thank you considering my submission.