National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3433
When the NDIS first came in it was a game changer and the mantra of “Choice and Control” seemed to offer real hope for inclusion and positive change. What in fact happened alongside people getting support that they have never had before (which was great), is that allied health hourly rates went up three times what they were because the maximum rate was set way too high and everyone thought they were entitled to charge the maximum rate.
Businesses swooped in to the overly generous Supported Independent Living housing scheme and built houses in far flung suburbs that no one wanted to live in because they were cheap and offered ridiculous rental returns. There would have been a much more cost effective and socialist way to do housing that would have left ongoing social benefits but governments didn’t want to take responsibility for that because outsourcing is king these days.
Another thing that happened is that as a disability community we lost too many of our small disability led arts and cultural organisations because everyone was focused on individual plans and not everyone offered involvement on that basis. Those that adapted became user pays service providers of arts but that’s not how the arts thrive. Social inclusion can include the creation of artistic and cultural work that reflects our community and shows the world what we are capable of. Arts can and should be an accepting and inclusive environment for disabled people, providing meaningful activities.
Also, too many profit motivated businesses with no real insight into how disabled people live and no real interest in building disability led communities came in to suck money out of the scheme and then moved to manage and reduce choice and control of disabled people.
Yes, the NDIS needs reform but not with the capitalist neo liberal reform agenda of economists. Disabled people should be supported to lead in the planning of their lives. Disabled people’s lives should be at the heart of the scheme. Families too have important roles to play as they are part of this community. Reform needs to be approached from a social and cultural perspective that asks how can disabled people live meaningful lives that contribute to Australian society? I feel certain that the disability community could find the savings needed without removing thousands of people from the scheme and without costing the government a loss of votes and goodwill from the countless people affected by disability in this county.
With so much of the world in decline and turmoil why not use this opportunity to reform in an uplifting and empowering way that celebrates our shared humanity, rather than punishing some of the most disadvantaged people in our country. Create true consultation and reform with stakeholders and show what can be achieved when those who use the scheme have a sense of ownership and responsibility for its success.
Thank you for considering this submission and I urge our elected leaders to take a more compassionate, creative and inclusive approach to NDIS reform.