Submission 2776
Dear Senator,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the ongoing reductions to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the impact these changes will have on Australians living with disability, their families, carers, support workers, and disability service providers.
For many people with disability, the NDIS is not a luxury—it is the difference between participation and isolation. It enables people to get out of bed, shower, dress, leave their homes, find employment, undertake education, attend medical appointments, socialise, shop for groceries, and participate in everyday life with dignity and independence.
The Productivity Commission has previously reported that every dollar invested in the NDIS generates significant economic and social returns. The scheme not only supports people with disability but also creates employment opportunities for thousands of Australians who work in disability support, allied health, therapy, transport, and community services.
Cuts to NDIS funding and the removal of large numbers of participants from the scheme risk reversing decades of progress. Reduced support will inevitably increase pressure on hospitals, aged care, homelessness services, mental health services, welfare systems, and carers. Any short-term savings may result in much greater long-term costs to government and society.
As a person who is totally blind and who has also experienced significant hearing loss in my left ear, the NDIS has been life-changing. It allows me to access assistive technology, orientation and mobility services, hearing supports, transport assistance, and the practical support necessary to live independently. It enables me to attend medical appointments, manage daily tasks, participate in my community, maintain employment opportunities, and remain connected with family and friends.
Without adequate support, independence becomes significantly more difficult. Following my hearing loss, I had to relearn many skills that most people take for granted, including navigating familiar environments, crossing roads safely, using public transport, and rebuilding confidence to participate fully in society. These supports would not have been accessible to me without the NDIS.
Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Through its commitment to this Convention, Australia has recognised the rights of people with disability to live independently, participate fully in the community, access the supports they require, and enjoy equality of opportunity. The NDIS has been one of the most
Submission 2776
significant mechanisms through which Australia has given practical effect to these commitments. Any reduction in essential supports risks undermining the principles of independence, inclusion, participation, and dignity that Australia has pledged to uphold under international law.
I acknowledge that there have been cases of fraud, overcharging, and misuse within the disability sector. However, people with disability should not be punished for failures in regulation and administration. Fraudulent providers should be investigated, audited, and removed from the system where necessary. The focus should be on strengthening oversight and accountability rather than reducing essential supports for those who rely on them.
I am also concerned about the impact funding reductions will have on specialist disability organisations such as Vision Australia, VisAbility, SensesWA, and many other providers that deliver highly specialised services. If participant funding is substantially reduced, many providers may be forced to reduce services or close programs, leaving people with disability with fewer options and less support.
Australia’s NDIS has long been recognised internationally as one of the world’s leading disability support systems. It was built through years of advocacy, consultation, and bipartisan commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity. We should be strengthening this achievement rather than weakening it.
I respectfully ask your government to:
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Protect essential NDIS supports and services for people with disability.
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Ensure that any reforms focus on eliminating waste, fraud, and overcharging rather than reducing participant supports.
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Maintain investment in specialist disability service providers.
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Consult directly with people with disability and disability advocacy organisations before implementing significant changes.
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Honour Australia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by ensuring that people with disability can continue to live independently and participate fully in community life.
Submission 2776
- Recognise the long-term economic and social benefits that flow from supporting people with disability to live independently and participate fully in Australian society.
The strength of our nation is reflected in how we support those who face the greatest barriers. Investing in people with disability is not a cost; it is an investment in human dignity, social inclusion, workforce participation, and stronger communities.
I urge your government to protect the NDIS and preserve the rights, independence, and opportunities of Australians with disability. Future generations will judge us not by how much we spent, but by whether we upheld the dignity, rights, and inclusion of all Australians.
Yours sincerely,