National Disability Insurance Scheme

Greens Announce Support

13 July 2010

The Australian Greens have announced their commitment to transformative change in disability support services and support the principles underpinning of the proposal for a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens spokesperson on Disabilities says the Greens will 'Work with Australia's next government to ensure the rights of people living with a disability are upheld, and that personalised support services are made readily available...

'The proposal for a National Disability Insurance Scheme provides us with the opportunity to develop a framework for changes to the way in which we deliver services to people with a disability and their families.

'Australians believe in opportunities and equal rights for all people, and the campaign around the NDIS is providing the momentum to radically improve the lives of thousands of Australians and their families.'

More details in this media release from the Greens - Transformative change in disability services essential for equal future.

Bill Shorten - Address to the Sydney Institute

13 July 2010

A powerful speech by the Hon Bill Shorten in a recent address to the Sydney Institute. 'It is still the case in our very lucky, and very special, nation, that the achievable aspirations of the average Australian remain out of reach for a person with disability, or their carers.'

...'Hidden in plain sight are more than two million Australians who are citizens in name, but – in reality – they are more like exiles in their own country. We wouldn’t build a wall around a city of 2 million Australians and say you will get less than the rest of the country. Too many Australians are less than equal citizens.'

Read the full transcript of the speech, The future of disability and the battle for equal rights or listen to the podcast on the website of the Sydney Institute.

Nationals on Board

13 July 2010

Last month's 90th Anniversary Federal Conference of The Nationals called for 'the investigation and implementation' of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The motion, initiated by Member for Riverina Kay Hull, highlights the urgent need to assist ageing parents and carers of disabled children and calls for:

(a) Suitable and accessible accommodation options for disabled children.

(b) The maintenance of the former Coalition Government's $200m Special Disability Trust program and removal of capital gains tax on the transfer of property into special disability trusts.

(c) The Nationals in Government to concentrate the Ministerial responsibility for disability services within a single portfolio.

(d) bi partisan support for the continuing investigation and implementation of a lifelong care and support system, along the lines of the broadly discussed National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), for all Australians with a significant disability whether acquired or from birth.

National Disability and Carer Alliance Media Release

8 July 2010

A coalition of groups representing people with disabilities, families and service providers have come together to push for the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Frustrated by years of neglect and underfunding by successive governments, the coalition has decided a strong collective voice is required to ensure the needs of Australians with a disability and their families are finally placed on the political and public agenda.

The coalition has established a campaign fund to ensure the public understands the need for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The goal of the campaign is to promote awareness of the NDIS and a greater understanding of the opportunities it will provide for people with disability and their families.

“The National Disability Insurance Scheme represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the lives of people with a disability and their families in this country,” said Lesley Hall, spokesperson for the National Disability and Carer Alliance.

“For too long Australians with a disability have been reliant on limited government support or charitable handouts. They have not received the support they require to be full, active contributing members of the community,” she said.

“The National Disability Insurance Scheme represents the opportunity to finally ensure people with a disability have the same opportunities to contribute and participate as the rest of the community.

“Unless they have personal experience, very few people understand the crisis facing so many people with a disability and their families in this country,” she said.

“Through no fault of their own many people with a disability and their families find themselves in absolute dire circumstances. We need to make people aware of this national disgrace and how the National Disability Insurance Scheme will make a difference.”

A number of organisations providing services to people with a disability and their families have already contributed to the fund. The coalition is asking all groups who work with people with disabilities and their families to make a contribution to ensure the awareness campaign continues.

The peak organisation representing disability service providers, National Disability Services, has joined the coalition. Chief Executive Dr Ken Baker said today NDS recognised that the National Disability Insurance Scheme represents “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for transformational change.”

“I am therefore delighted that so many of our members have responded so quickly and so generously by contributing funds from their scarce reserves to this campaign. A number have commented to me that they can think of no more important issue to which they can contribute their resources and they look forward to working alongside people with a disability, their families and carers.”

All of the members of the coalition are committed to working together cooperatively to present a strong united voice to achieve this transformational reform. All look forward to more organisations adding their voices to the campaign.

The coalition has established an initial national steering committee comprising:

Lesley Hall, CEO, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
Kevin Cocks, Director, Queensland Advocacy Inc
Ken Baker, CEO, National Disability Services
Tim Walton, President, National Disability Services
Rob White, CEO, Spastic Centre of NSW
David Barbagallo, CEO, Endeavour
Joan Hughes, CEO, Carers Australia
Pam Webster, National Disability and Carer Alliance

The coalition will soon appoint a National Campaign Director to oversee the awareness campaign.

The National Disability and Carer Alliance is a proud member of the coalition. For further information about the coalition or the campaign for a National Disability Insurance Scheme, please call Kirsten Deane, Executive Director, National Disability and Carer Alliance on 0409 565 925.

PC Inquiry Kicks Off

14 April 2010

The Productivity Commission has run advertisements in major newspapers across the country announcing the beginning of its inquiry into a National Disability Long Term Care and Support Scheme. The issues paper will be released in May and initial submissions due on 30 June. Public hearings will be held in June and July.

The Productivity Commission ran advertisements in major newspapers across the country today announcing the beginning of its inquiry into a National Disability Long Term Care and Support Scheme. The issues paper will be released in May and initial submissions due on 30 June. Public hearings will be held in June and July.

We strongly encourage everyone to register their interest with the Productivity Commission so that they can follow the progress of the inquiry and be notified of opportunities for participation – you will only get regular updates from the Commission if you register your interest.

This is your chance to have your say about what the future of people with a disability, their families and carers looks like in this country – and it is an opportunity not to be missed.

More details about the inquiry, the terms of reference, circulars and copies of all submissions can be found on the Productivity Commission's website.

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