Committee Secretary

Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs

We apologize that this submission is being made after COB (but on) 1 June 2026, however, in the Spirit of Australia we trust and hope that it will be taken into account as part of the critically important review by the Committee Secretary of the Senate Committee on Community Affairs in respect of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 (“Bill”), below.

We write to express utmost dissatisfaction and massive disappointment with your Government’s budget NDIS proposals as follows:

The savage cuts to funding to genuine NDIS participants particularly in respect of Cote Supports including Social Community and Economic Participation. To set the scene for you in an attempt to have you understand what is really happening at the participant’s and family level we provide the following for your information

Our adult daughter who is 21 uses her Social Community funding to:

• volunteer multiple days throughout the week across a number of volunteer jobs – supporting local organisations and non for profit in wider community settings, to maintain her relationships and to stay connected to her community. This also provides her with substantial help to build up her confidence and everyday life skills that supports her overall wellbeing.

• access community activities

• go out to social events with her peers, both those with and without Down syndrome

• travel and catch up with friends

• attend appointments and therapies including speech, OT, strength and movement sessions and play therapy to assist her with her emotional development

• travel training

• attend dance and drama classes

• shopping, and

• access possible opportunities for genuine and fulfilling paid employment.

We have a truly amazing and wonderful group of support workers who take her to these therapies and activities to which she responds and participates in an immensely different and better way than when we, as parents, are not present.

We have always aimed and hoped that by developing and building on these skills, she will be able to live capably and independently in the near future, taking pressure of the NDA. All of her supports focus on her NDIS goals.

Without this funding, or even if it is cut by 50%, she would spend her days at home and as a result she would be socially isolated and going backwards. Clearly we do not want to let that happen at all let alone after all the input and effort on our part, as parents, an d her fantastic and diligent support workers that has taken place over the many years to today. To have all this valuable and priceless effort wiped out by the stroke of a Minister’s pen or by a discretionary decision is absolutely and totally outrageous, ludicrous, insensitive, and all separate from a total lack of any understanding of how in practice her needs work on a day to day basis, every day!!.

Also, she is of an age that hanging out with her parents is no longer cool and a happening thing to do and so NDIS funding maintains, supports and allows her to be connected to the wider community and that builds greater and stronger friendships and relationships.

Furthermore, should these cuts take place, significant additional pressure will be placed on family members and for those working will need to limit their or reduce their working hours which adds further financial pressure. None of these flow on effects and consequences have been considered and they ought to have been. Clearly, the measures have all been rushed and ill-conceived and create highly concerning issues as follows:

• Carer and family member pressure and burnout due to age/older carers, parents and family members,

• Our daughter’s significant and incredible contribution to community and how NDIA funding actually enables her to undertake those community wide contributions,

• As she is a young adult, the aspiration of building, developing and growing her skills to be able to contribute to society through employment will be significantly diminished without the support of NDIA thereby creating a far greater risk of reducing social and community integration and cohesion. For example, when she acts as an ambassador visiting TAFE Colleges to speak to students, who are undertaking studies in disability and related support care, about Down syndrome and her work and life’s journey, the response to which from the students is overwhelmingly one of excitement and inspiration!

Accordingly, based on the above, we implore and request that you undertake a seriously considered review vote to reverse these deep cuts that supports our daughter right now

To be the best she can possibly be with the her goal to be living totally independent one day and with less reliance on the NDIS as a result.

Thank you for your consideration of our submission which we hope will help you guide, deceive and shape the real and preferred outcomes of genuine NDIS participants who need the funding to live their lives to the full the way they wish just like any other person in the community and to contribute value to the wider community in general!

We look forward to you favourable decision in respect of our submission in relation to the review of this Bill.