National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2836
Hello to everyone reading this.
I’m a fellow human who just happens to also be disabled. I’m really scared about the ramifications if the proposed changes to legislation were to become law. To me it seems unlawful to write such broad blanket cuts to participants. Savings should come from eliminating fraud – not from reclaiming funds from struggling participants. One of the amendments is to remove the ART process of appealing a decision, how can that be moral, ethical or reasonable? So many people are suffering and this will cause more of us to suffer and essentially tells us to be quiet, sit in the corner and just be grateful that things aren’t worse than they are. Is that the kind of society you want to be part of? One that strips the most vulnerable people from having the legal process to ensure their human rights are met?
When I first got NDIS it was life changing. For the first time things became more manageable and peaceful because I was supported in my areas of disability, no longer carrying it all on my own. I now had people in my life who cared about me and helping me to reach milestones like finishing study and starting a new career. I felt guilty receiving this life saving support as I know it comes from hardworking Australian citizens. I was told by people that they are glad to see the impact that the support has on my life, that as taxpayers supporting people like me is exactly what tax money should be used for. I was in a serene bubble for a bit, knowing I lived in a society that wanted to give me a fair go and supports to succeed and run the race of life just like anyone else. Blanket cuts are going to be bad for all of us and more strain will be placed on other systems not built to carry the weight.
One of the first proposed cuts to social and community participation will strip people of their dignity. We are not out there living lavish lifestyles, we are just trying to work and participate in society like you. Live life as normal and as independent as possible. Social connections are so fundamental for health outcomes. For me, my core funding is flexible and I actually use my social and community support funding for home personal care. I don’t have enough home support to stabilise me let alone to help me participate in the community. I get lost on my own and have meltdowns which scares people – not that I want to be scary but that is the reality of emotional dysregulation and not having a support person with me to keep me and others safe. A 50% cut to my funding means less support to make meals, follow routines, practice safe hygeine, build socioemotional skills and pursue paid employment. For someone else who doesn’t have the capacity to communicate and make a submission it could very well mean not having the life sustaining support that they need. Disabled lives matter and we have the right to decide for ourselves if our life is worth it – nobody has a right to place value on someone elses existence.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2836
Supporting the injured and disabled it what showed growth as humans to have empathy and differentiates us from other animals. Neanderthals nursed broken legs and protected disabled people. Neanderthals valued human lives enough to shoulder up and do the work to meet everyones needs. Are we not more advanced than Neanderthals? If you suddenly became disabled, wouldn’t you hope that society would support you? That all those taxes you paid were your insurance and safety net to having a reasonable quality of life? Any one of us can find ourselves needing extra support over our lifetime, it’s more likely than not. I sure believe in Australia being a place where we care for eachother. We are in a unique position to create whatever kind of society that we want. Individuals and families do not have the capacity to carry everything on their own, that is part of why we lived in tribes and communities. We keep eachother safe and healthy. Now instead of a tribe we are a Nation. Nations are built upon individuals, every one makes a difference. The choices you make about this proposed legislation will directly impact people in a life altering way. Will it be for better or for worse? I’ll Leave you with a quote by Hubert H. Humphrey, former U.S. Vice President: “The moral test of government is how that government treats those that are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”
Funding, how do I expect the money for this support to be made available? Tax gas at more like 50% (still not as much as Norway), and we’ll have plenty of resources and these struggles can largely be resolved. We can fund so much more for all Australians to increase their living standard. No extra burden on the taxpayer is necessary. Stamp out fraud from the NDIS, not sqeeze participants even tighter. Australians overwhelmingly want to be paid for our gas and support corporations paying their dues. We should be one of the most wealthy Nations, we can be. Be the person that supports a fair Australia and helps the Nation prosper. Be the person who stands up to speak for those who cannot speak.