THE PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE OF THE NDIS - THE PROMISE

I am a 70-year-old nominee and former volunteer and professional advocate for people with disability. As a young mother in the ’90s I saw the efforts of those who went before me to advocate for a rights-based approach to support.It was something almost delivered over 4 decades ago, but instead the Medicare Scheme was introduced.A brilliant initiative ,for universal health-care.After more than decades,the promise of the NDIS was almost realized.Certainly,during trial sites initial roll-outs each state appeared we had mechanism National Disability Strategy deliver nation’s obligations under UN Convention on Rights Persons disability .However many years Scott Morrison government,the Scheme systematically expanded purpose seemed all things all people therefore entity grew exponentially requisite spending scrutinize manage account then litigate participants applicants.As an advocate have seen wonderful transformations terrible tragedy torment at hand this very entity loss life while waiting supports,torment protracted legal battles inevitably resulted outcomes side most participants despite huge costs legal battles.Ihave disabled advocates pass away timeframe.

Iam terrified changes Bill will bring.To Minister enabled such sweeping powers especially when passed onto any other Minister may oppose Scheme entirety tantamount fascism.## THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL All governments attempt appease haves’ nots Budget spending.Unfortunately loud persistent misinformation from mainstream media divided nations general public largely supportive as it rolled out,divided now seem view Scheme large tax-payer burden worth false information about scale fraud created deep mistrust disabled people cast them families bludging fraudsters.‘integrity leakage’-whitewashed language describe so-called rorts overspend is not bad similar issues Medicare Centrelink Australian Tax Office.It appears fall-guys budget cuts will be disabled people let down by the very government promised save return former ideology### CHOICE AND CONTROL The right to self-management and direct employment.This catchphrase often bandied co-design but both elusive rarely supported NDIA itself.

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

Submission 1930

My daughter __________, and I have been directly hiring support staff since we both gave up on traditional service provision in 2010 (a full g years before roll-out in our area). ___is 37 years old and has a very significant intellectual disability. We initially hired students and stay-at-home mums who we trained ourselves and found that the workers were more loyal to her, two attentive to her needs and wants,and my daughter’s confidenceand opportunityto exerciseher autonomyin here own home had elevated her elevated her esteemof her community. Withthe NDIsrollout,wecontinedt hiredirectlybut employedhersupportstaff rather than contractorsor sole traders , overthyearswehave built well-structured Policies & Procedures withinasound Human Resource Management system . We provide formal inductionthat includes intensive trainingbothon-siteonline,durings8 - t week probationary period Ongoing professional development,both inperson onlineare conducted regularly as are team meetings.’s staff ar much better equippedthan anyone from anyservice provider if they move one highly skilledasa result of their time workingourteam. Wedo not getany acknowledgement or consideration for this however weprefertha workforceget upskeilled because it is peopled by manywho haverenteredthis field with little regardfor Participants other thans easy waystomake money _________ ’steam which fluctuates far too readily doeshowever comprise somevery dedicated people two whom rise above an others Neither these wonderful women work fora nyother participants One support worker began astudent 14 years ago,andshe now has herown counselling business She electsto workswithmydaughter a couple shifts perweekasthey havea strong bond and careforeach other deeply Anotherhas beenwithe usfory about6 monthsand we hope thatthey will grow old together Shahas supported ________ to make incredible progress onher goals I can foresee in acoupleof yearsshewill havemade friends (hers biggest goal) run here microbusiness develophere personal interest areas level having larger retinue skills interests social circles Any push towards forcingus use registeredor indeedanysupport service providers will strip away all the gains my daughter hast made and bebiggest source anxiety sorrow familyall hersyears Auto-mated Decisions Algorithms no right appeal What country arewe livingin Howdoes align empowerment equity disabledpeople whose voice left out any conversationsabout Bill know as do manyparticipantsfamily membersvoice large service providerstaken ear government The notion ofthese kinds treatments synonymous RoboDebt directly contradictory election promises thisgovernment SAVEOURNDIS Instead set same path predecessors vengeance destroy Scheme

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

Submission 1930

As an advocate for the Human Rights Act in Queensland and for a national Human Rights Bill, I am ashamed of our country right now. It appears that only the rich and powerful, the mighty and loud get anywhere currently. It begs the question of the values of our elected peers who seem to have little to no regard for vulnerable people – disabled people who, with support and the ‘affirmative action’thattheNDISshouldenableareemployerscontributeconsumersemployeesandvolunteerssportspeopleparticipants.

REGISTRATION

Support Needs

     livesinprivaterentalandhasdonesoforthepast14years.Shecurrentlylivesaloneinahousethatsuitsherneedstohaveagardenandalargebackyardthatispriate,inquitea locationawayfrombusystreets.Shelikestoplaysoccercricketedbackyar dtotemtennisinheryardwhenevershedwants…sometimesthisisonlyforshortperiodsoftimebutmaybeseveraltimesadayastransitionbetweenhousholdtaskorreturninghome. Sheveryactivegoestothegym5dayspereventhorseridesweekly        paysfortheseseactivities herself but is supported by aworkerto doso HerdisabilityIscompoundedbyabsenceseizures(epilepsy)that hasintensifiedovertheyearswhichcan affect hersleepandan abilitytofocus,andcanyprovokespainextremeirritationanda gitationandrethereforeeffectherbehaviour BehaviourSupportisperprovidedbyparentedpractitionerwhoistherecollaborativetoprovides homevisitsandtrainingsessionsto staffbothindividuallyandasawholeteam SpeechPathologyispervidedbyparentedpracticertoworks withmydaughterat least two members of the team to assist my daughterwith herlanguage and practical conversation skills toe nhancesshe socialandsocialcommunicationskills ExercisePhysiologyispervidedbyparentedpracticertomydaughtershas somem physicalissuespertainingtoscoliosis,andonatedfeet whichdespitecustomizedorthoticsaffectshersbalance,mobilitycoordinationstrengthand paintokneesandhips My daughters personal care support needs are extremely light touch.She can manage most things herselfbutneedssupervisionverbalsupport mostly ,wit occasional assistance in cleaning upinthe toilet after bowel motions Itisunreasonabletorequiremysupportworkersbecomeregisterd consideringtheformation providedabove IalsobelievethatasselfmanagerIamhighlyattunedtohig erstandardsofsupp ortcare outcomes than any direct suppor service provider.IprovidexcellentvalueformoneygivenfreehoursperweekthatIdevote tomysuppport model,andscrutinezethepurposeandvaluewhereeverydollarspent.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill

Submission: Submission_1930

Is it reasonable to expect that I am registered? As mentioned, now age70 looking towards succession another family member step role lighter capacity train team leader take on more management responsibilities.

Funding And Cuts

The issue contractors vs employee problem was never addressed NDIA outset The ‘let market rip’ support workers often no very little experience anything disability let alone providers These contractor sole traders price-gouged participants years using Price Guide charge across board regardless type level supports involved Yet many people with disabilities forced hiring contractors because support workers refuse hired as employees Fair Work Commission Australian Taxation Office “Closing Loopholes” wake-up call Many participants but so not support workers! NDIA MUST make clear types of supports can delivered contract those must employment arrangement rather than merely relying participants nominees decipher meaning from FWC ATO Alternatively ndia ato fwc exemption enable all participants hire contractors In October2023 submitted Change Circumstances Request application did this father experienced serious health issues hospitalization time lives closest redacted he is often required when support staff unavailable various reasons illness car trouble emergencies pet care etc We had applied for funding fortnightly weekends several holiday times budget requested increase funds staffing could be applied exception monthly weekends two weeks Christmas This request given any consideration plan renewed change Recently only loss Assistive Technology usually purchase customized orthotics need further deemed should pay less self-manage workforce area woefully thin certainly under skilled work daughter invest heavily training manage scrape by Plan due to staff shortages Given the Plan managed directly super PAYG claims made entire payroll divided categories Daily Living Social Community Participation Payroll claimed solely category if significantly reduced due Staff reduction If Social and Community Participation cut 50% redacted s Plan already underfunded will slashed even her aged parents continue fill

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

Submission 1930

Reasonable and Necessary for [redacted]:

My daughter flourished into adulthood when she first moved into her own private rental, directed herself as an independent person in charge who made decisions about herself without assistance. she started life on her terms: autonomous, confident, purposeful - unlike ever before, in her experiences. She enjoys having space at home suitable enough not just furniture but also sporting equipment; musical instruments; as well as recording gear which has been recently acquired. Her housing situation stands out from typical social or public housing because of long waitlist times: even after sixteen years waiting list, no offers have come up yet. Her needs include a large yard where there is peace away neighbors’ noise and traffic congestion – most disability homes are high density located along main roads near transport hubs such shops. The individual requires their support workers drive them everywhere due inability catching public transportation unaided while walking distances between bus stops often too far to reach independently. She’s had experience living with housemates found through Flatmates.com.au occasionally taking significant effort screening process finding compatible matches. However does prefer company non-disabled people over other disabled individuals raised alongside elder sister friends boyfriends and social circles always gravitating towards young non-disabled members within groups.

Experiences traditional group supports were unsuccessful entirely focused only interest the staff working directly with her conflicts arose sometimes requiring separation sending back home history being isolated classrooms teacher-aides during school years source desire for 1-1 relationships followed into post-school day service we found very unsatisfactory despite it one better services in area moved independent 1:1 support pursue interests activities volunteered several weeks office tasks performed independently requested that those same staff provide incidental guidance so she could use some hours for social activities however refused payment began hiring directly.

The right to choose where how whom live This fundamental human rights Bill proposes fiscal cuts will inevitably force shared care arrangements NDIS formed redress!

Any pressure forcing [redacted] share living or care arrangement participants create highly stressful conflict potentially violent situations

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill

Submission 1930: My Recommendations:

Fraud and Abuse:

• Support Quality & Safeguards Commission’s pursuit/prosecution all abusers.
• Recommend harsher jail sentences/financial penalties/banning orders publicized via mainstream media if abuse/neglect/harm occurs due to service provider enabling it.
• Participants fraudulently entering scheme should face similar consequences as Medicare/Australian Taxation/Centrelink rorts; participant fraud overstated according to media reports.
• Those mistakenly claiming items should receive same leeway proposed with excluded lists introduced earlier; NDIA should contact individuals explaining claim rejections promptly without delay, or leave participants/families burdened large debt. NDIA must facilitate recouping money from Plan incrementally affordably when necessary.

PLAN FUNDING CUTS

• As outlined above I do not support cuts to Social and Community Participation for anyone! The mere suggestion that disabled people not be supported to be part of community, to engage life is horrifying. I see needs reign providers ‘experiences’. if disabled pople are to be partcommunity then special segregated events group activities which are seen dollar savers Scheme often groups charge individually quite hefty fees However many cannot inclusive gyms swim lessons riding lessons other activities often usually provided GROUP lesson Privatelessons suchactivities should funded difference price privatelesson over thatofgroup lesson There plethora so-calledinclusive spaces provide primarilydisabled people This oxymoron If can participate activity with others disabilities clearly matter feeling accepted belonging Why local generalgroups AnycutsSocialCommunityParticipation will leave isolated therefore engaging theirlocal avenues furthers divide works contrary UNCRRD NationalDisabilityStrategy - Recommend NOcutsfundingcategoryforanyone Instead NDIS scrutinize these so-called butsegregated groups ask them what theycan open doors non-disabled members model practices These must welcome non-disabled community # COSTS OF SUPPORT When NDIA let market rip did nothing curtail costs supports independent workers operating contractors there was outcry monitored controlled Price guide purely direct serviceproviders 1. recommend thefees by independents based SCHADS award include superannuation either fee travel OR claim tax Fair Work Commission Australian Taxation Office Closing Loopholes has been wake-up call participants not supportworkers! The MUST make clear types ofsupports delivered under contract those employment arrangement rather than merely relying on decipher meaning FWC ATO Alternatively,NDIATAXATIONOFFICEmake exemption enable allparticipants hirecontractors # POWERS TO THE MINISTER AUTOMATED DECISIONS AND ALGORITHMS I Senate Standing Committee reject Bill entirety applies autocratic disempowerment Recommendation complaint made UNCRPD