Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for
Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submitted by:
Date: Maqsood Al-Kabir Thursday 09 July 2026 Dear Committee Members,
National Disability Insurance Scheme Thank you for the opportunity to provide this submission to the Senate Community Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill Affairs Legislation Committee regarding the 2026.My name is Maqsood Al-Kabir. I am 61 years of age, an Australian citizen, a Disability Support Pension recipient, an active participant in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and a longstanding community advocate. Like hundreds of thousands of Australians, I rely on NDIS-funded supports to live independently, maintain my health and wellbeing, and participate meaningfully in community life. I support the objective of ensuring the long-term sustainability, integrity and effectiveness of the NDIS. The Scheme is one of Australia’s most significant social policy reforms, empowering people with disability to exercise greater choice and control while participating more fully in education, employment, family life and their communities. Its long-term success is in the interests of all Australians. However, sustainability should never be achieved by diminishing the rights, independence or opportunities of people with disability. A truly sustainable NDIS is one that balances responsible financial stewardship with the Scheme’s original purpose: enabling Australians with disability to live with dignity, equality and inclusion. Fiscal sustainability and human rights are complementary objectives and should never be treated as competing priorities. As Parliament considers this Bill, I respectfully urge the Committee to ensure that the proposed amendments reinforce—not weaken—the principles that underpin the NDIS. “NothingAbout Us Without Us.” Central to those principles is the internationally recognised commitment to Legislative reforms affecting people with disability should be developed through genuine consultation and co-design with participants, representative organisations, carers, families, disability professionals and service providers. Policies are more effective, practical and equitable when informed by the lived experience of those they directly affect. I acknowledge the Government’s responsibility to improve Scheme integrity, eliminate waste and ensure value for public expenditure. Nevertheless, reforms should not create unnecessary barriers for eligible participants or increase uncertainty regarding access to reasonable and necessary supports. Australians with disability deserve confidence
that legislative reform will strengthen the Scheme rather than undermine the security upon which they depend. The Bill should therefore preserve strong legislative protections for participants by ensuring that funding decisions remain based on individual functional needs, supported by evidence, applied consistently and subject to timely and accessible independent review. Public confidence depends not only on sound financial management but also on transparent, fair and accountable decision-making. Across the disability community there is growing concern about the cumulative impact of ongoing reforms. While continuous improvement is necessary, prolonged uncertainty can itself become a significant burden. People with disability often rely upon long-term planning and stable support arrangements to manage daily life. The implementation of this Bill should therefore provide greater clarity, certainty and confidence for participants rather than increasing anxiety about future access to essential supports. The long-term sustainability of the NDIS will be strengthened by improving administration rather than limiting support for people with genuine disability-related needs. Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, improving consistency in planning decisions, shortening administrative delays and strengthening communication with participants would improve both participant outcomes and the efficient operation of the Scheme. Protecting the integrity of the NDIS is equally important. Fraud, exploitation and deliberate misuse of public funds undermine public confidence and divert valuable resources away from those who genuinely need support. The overwhelming majority of participants use their supports responsibly and should not bear the consequences of misconduct by a small minority. The Bill should therefore prioritise stronger action against fraudulent providers, organised criminal activity and systemic abuse while preserving participant choice, control and flexibility. The success of the NDIS also depends upon a capable and sustainable disability workforce. Many participants continue to experience difficulty accessing qualified support workers, allied health professionals and specialist services, particularly in regional and rural Australia. Legislative reform should be complemented by continued investment in workforce development, professional training, service quality and innovation to ensure participants receive timely and appropriate supports. Transparency and accountability should remain fundamental principles of the Bill. Significant decisions affecting participant rights should be subject to appropriate parliamentary scrutiny, public consultation and independent oversight. The implementation of the legislation should also include regular public reporting and periodic independent reviews to assess whether the reforms are achieving their objectives without compromising participant outcomes. The success of the NDIS should not be measured solely through financial indicators. It should also be evaluated by its ability to improve independence, health, employment, education, social participation, housing stability and overall quality of life for Australians with disability. These outcomes reflect the true purpose and value of the Scheme.
Public discussion about the NDIS often focuses primarily on its cost. This risks overlooking the substantial economic and social contribution made by people with disability when appropriate supports are available. The NDIS enables people to work, volunteer, study, care for family members and contribute actively to their communities. It also supports thousands of jobs and businesses across Australia. Investment in disability inclusion should therefore be recognised as an investment in Australia’s productivity, resilience and social cohesion. Australia rightly invests in a range of national priorities, including defence, infrastructure and economic development. Equally, investment in people with disability should be recognised as a strategic national priority because it strengthens communities, promotes equal opportunity and reflects Australia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In considering this Bill, I respectfully recommend that the Committee strengthen provisions that promote genuine co-design with people with disability; preserve participant rights through clear legislative safeguards and accessible review mechanisms; improve administrative efficiency without restricting access to reasonable and necessary supports; strengthen measures to prevent fraud and provider misconduct; enhance transparency, accountability and parliamentary oversight; support continued investment in the disability workforce; and require regular independent reviews to evaluate both financial sustainability and participant wellbeing. The NDIS represents a national commitment that Australians with disability will have the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, choice and equal participation. That commitment must remain the guiding principle of every legislative reform. I support the objective of securing the NDIS for future generations. Achieving that objective requires more than financial discipline. It requires legislation that reflects compassion, fairness, accountability, evidence-based policy and genuine partnership with people with disability. Future generations should inherit an NDIS that is not only financially sustainable but also faithful to its founding purpose: empowering Australians with disability to realise their full potential and participate equally in every aspect of Australian society. Thank you for considering my submission. Yours faithfully, Maqsood Al-Kabir