News

Register Your Interest for PC Inquiry

7 December 2009

The Productivity Commission is inviting the public to register their interest in the forthcoming inquiry into a long-term care and support scheme for people with a disability in Australia. The inquiry will begin in early 2010 and report by July 2011.

More information will be available once the inquiry has commenced. Go to to the Disability Care and Support page on the Productivity Commission's website to      register your interest in the inquiry and you will be kept informed of progress. You can also indicate your interest in making a submission or discussing your submission at a public hearing.

DIG Report & Panel Announced

3 December 2009

The Commonwealth Government today released the long-awaited report of the Disability Investment Group and announced the panel for the Productivity Commission inquiry into a national long-term care and support scheme.

The Disability Investment Group report, The Way Forward: A new disability policy framework for Australia, affirms the need for the inquiry which was announced on 23 November.

The Productivity Commission will investigate the feasibility of new approaches, including a social insurance model, for funding and delivering long-term disability care and support for people with severe or profound disabilities however they are acquired.

This will include detailed modelling and analysis to determine if a long-term disability care and support scheme would be appropriate, practical, economically responsible and whether it would fit with Australia's health, aged care, income support and injury insurance systems.

The Government has also announced the appointment of John Walsh as a part-time Associate Commissioner to the Productivity Commission inquiry. Mr Walsh was instrumental in the development of the Australian Registry of Spinal Cord Injury and is a board member of the NSW Motor Accidents Authority and the NSW Home Care Service.

The Government and the Productivity Commission will also be advised by an independent panel of seven people who bring considerable experience across the disability sector, including Chair of Yooralla Bruce Bonyhady, Chair of the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council Rhonda Galbally, and Australian Medical Association President Andrew Pesce.

The Productivity Commission will report to the Government in July 2011.

View the media release Disability Investment Group Report for more details.

Rudd Announces Inquiry

23 November 2009

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that, "the Australian Government will engage the Productivity Commission to carry out an Inquiry into a National Long-term Care and Support Scheme.

"Starting early next year, the Commission will look into the costs, benefits and feasibility of approaches which provide essential care and support - on an entitlement basis - for eligible people with a severe or profound disability.

"It will look at a no-fault social insurance model reflecting the shared risk of disability across the population ... as well as other options for long-term care and support, building on international best practice".

This exciting announcement was made in Rudd's address to the National Disability Awards Ceremony in Canberra.

Your support of a National Disability Insurance Scheme is even more critical now - as we strive to broaden the level of community support for the idea. Please take action by emailing your MP, visiting your MP, signing the petition, but most importantly, by spreading the word to family, friends and colleagues.

SMH Editorial

5 November 2009

An editorial in the Sydney Morning Herald condemns a system that gives some parents no choice but to abandon their child with a disability to the state.

The editorial was sparked by the tragic story of Anita Cain, the single mother forced to abandon her severely disabled son at a respite centre because she could no longer cope with the demands of his care.

It goes on to say, 'The purpose of Australia's welfare system is to help people who suffer misfortune through no fault of their own, and in general it does a good job. But in this case it is not doing nearly enough. The system relies on parents being too guilt-ridden, or simply too in love with their children, to give them over to government care.'

'Surely the cost of improving support for the disabled is one a prosperous and democratic society, such as ours, ought to be able to take on. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there are about 57,000 children aged under 15 who suffer from three or more disabilities, and many more adults.'

'Fundamental reform of the entire disability support system is needed. Kevin Rudd has appointed one of Labor's most promising MPs, Bill Shorten, as parliamentary secretary for disabilities. The Rudd Government has also promised a National Disability Strategy to be in place before the next election and is kicking around the idea of a national disability insurance scheme - an idea first floated by the Whitlam government nearly 40 years ago.'

'Shorten has described the treatment of the disabled as a national disgrace. We agree. Let's do something about it.'

Hear, hear.

Read the editorial Caring for the disabled' and some of the Letters to the Editor in response to the original story, Harrowing choice put a loving mother to the test.

Queensland Vision for NDIS

3 November 2009

Queensland MP, Curtis Pitt, has has added his voice to the call for a National Disability Insurance Scheme. In a media release, Curtis frames the need for an NDIS in the context of Queensland's 'Blue Skies' vision.

This calls for the community to work in partnership with government to achieve equality in education, urban planning and private construction and targeted assistance for different disabilities rather than one-size-fits-all funding.

The Queensland government will use the Blue Skies vision as the foundation for its 10 year strategy to shape the future of disability services. Read Curtis Pitt's media release about the Blue Sky vision or vsiit the Blue Skies website.

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