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

Submission 1714

I am the parent of a 31yo man who lives with a profound intellectual disability.

The NDIS came in when he was an adult and it changed his life for the better. He lives in his own home (bought by us because we can both work and earn while he is supported to live his life), works part time for full pay, enjoys playing in a mainstream cricket team, is in a bowling league, visits and hosts friends, and is a well-known and contributing neighbour and community member. He is studying towards getting a bobcat license,a lofty goal for someone with his level of disability,yet achievable as he is passionate,and has good supports and people\naround himwho believeinhimandaactivelyworktohelphimgethere.Hissuccessis theresultofanexcellentself-managed,tailored support model. My son’s unique supportmodel requires social anda ndcommunity participation funding.Thisfundingwasdesigned to assist someonelfor ‘economicandsocialparticipation’whichiseaxactlyhowitbeingused.Selfmanagingsocialandasocietyal participationhasahugepositiveimpactforfarlesscostthanrelying on providers(eventhegoodones).Formysonso:

• Community participations meansupporttocolinue beingable towork(andpaytaxandalaccruesuperannuation) ,andothavingtotorelyfullyonthedisability pension,thenlater aged carepension
• Community participation meansthatMumcanstayatwokontinuetopay taxaland accrue superannuations too. Community partipationmeanssuppor to engageincommunityactivitieswitharange o fpeople,makemeaningfulconnectionsand contributions Community particiaptionmeansbeinge abletosstudygetahead in lifeearn ahigher income an invest Community partiptionmeansbuildingandexpanning INFORMAL networks tassistinsupported decision making, emotionalsuppport and goal setting.Theseneetworksmitigateincreasingpaidsupport costs over time Community paricipatiommeans reducingvulnerabilit y-reducingriskofharman dneglect,reducingsbehaviours of concern,increasing social skills,r educing theneed forother government systems such as health.Ultimately this funding anda nd the proper use off results less support costsovertime Communityparticipation meantslevelling th field so my son can do things other people inc om munitydo Communityparciption meansthe community learn grow from having a relationship withmyson-increas ing tolerance humanity civil society Reducingcommunity participationsfunding will ultimatelycostthegovernment more.I was bemused when Mark Butler spoke examples sup port workers on their phoneswheninthecommunity w they are supporting.Why isn’tthesupport workerprovider held to account?How doesreducing peoples ability access comm unity make sense whentheyare not problem Why ismysonbeing punishedforit? Further itis important acknowledge thatphonesandelectronic devices often legitimate supp ort toolsnot simply distractions.In mysonso’s supports,phone may be used check schedulesgoals monitor prompt medication,suppor tcommunicationaccess safety planscoordinate transport or appointmentsdocumentsupports in shift reports and assistwith real-time decision making participation.Poor practice should absolutely addressed where occurs (whichoften)butimportant no confuse misuse device appropriateuse technology enables effective accountablesupport. My family supports welcomes NDIS reform but notthis bill.We knowthings very wrong system affects us too.Thisbillandspecifically reductionincommuni ty partipation funding by 50% punishingwrongpeople. I ask the Committee recommendto notsupporthetill amended.The focus of efficiency measures must remain service provider performance outcomes alongsidesystem issues withinNDIS itselfclosing many gaps allow bad actors(aneftlyinept services)f lourish.Billshouldbearound increasing meaningful inclusion anda ndparticipation for people with disabilities sustainability.Not trade off one other.Thank you consideration.