National Disability Insurance Scheme

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.

Jenny Macklin - Welcomes NDIS Debate

27 October 2009

'An insurance scheme warrants further, and detailed, consideration', said Jenny Macklin in an address to the Per Capita Policy Exchange 2009 Conference.

Ms Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, addressed the conference in a keynote speech on 21 October. In the final paragraph of her speech she welcomes the growing policy debate about a National Disability Insurance Scheme...

'... getting disability policy requires a delicate and complex policy balance. It is an evolving policy challenge for government and the community. I'm sure many of you here have already been thinking about a policy idea which emerged from the Prime Minister's 20/20 summit - the proposal for a disability insurance scheme in Australia. It's an important policy debate, and one I am glad that we can have. An insurance scheme warrants further, and detailed, consideration. We know that social insurance is a feature of the disability systems in other developed countries which have better outcomes than Australia on a range of indicators - including employment for people with disability. Here, one of the critical policy questions is how our uniquely Australian social security system - a disability pension paid to everyone entitled to receive it regardless of past earnings; non contributory and funded from general revenue; and means tested - would interact with an insurance model. This is just one of the policy questions we need to resolve as we debate the merits and structure of a possible disability insurance scheme. There are many astute advocates and policy makers already concentrating their attention on these questions, and many members of the government, including myself, keen to engage with them. I hope Per Capita will join with us in the next challenging chapter of social policy in Australia.'

View the full Jenny Macklin's full address on the FAHCSIA website.

Clover Moore On Board

16 October 2009

Clover Moore, Member for Sydney, has lent her support to the National Disability Insurance Scheme campaign.

In a letter to the Hon Paul Lynch MP, Minister for Disability Services, Clover Moore outlines her support - which was made in response to approaches from her constituents.

She writes, 'The proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme ... could provide more effective and efficient service provision, better links to other service areas, a reduction in the burden on carers and families, early intervention services to reduce costs over time and comply with Australia's commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'.

She finishes, 'Could you please liaise with the Commonwealth and other state/territory ministers to develop a National Disability Insurance Scheme and inform me what action you will take?'

National Press Club Address - Rhonda Galbally

7 October 2009

On 7 October, Dr Rhonda Galbally AO addressed the National Press Club in Canberra on 7 October, presenting 'Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia'.

Recently released by the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council, Shut Out is the product of extensive nationwide consultations with people with a disability their families, friends and carers. Shut Out reveals the full extent of the exclusion and discrimination experienced by people with a disability and their families. Shut out of schools, shut out of jobs, shut out of housing, shut out of health care, shut out of community groups – the report reveals the many ways people with a disability are prevented from becoming active and full participants in the economic, social and cultural life of the nation.

Dr Galbally spoke convincingly about the need for a National Disability Insurance Scheme - its substantial social and economc benefits and the growing chorus of supporters. 'There is a genuine sense of excitement that after so many years of struggle we might just be on the cusp of real life changing reform.'

Read Dr Galbally's National Press Club address in full (PDF).

AMA Pledges Support

7 October 2009

The Australian Medical Association has formally pledged its support for a National Disability Insurance Scheme and is urging other health professional groups to get behind the campaign.

A media release from the AMA states:

'AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today the AMA fully supports the call by Australia’s disability and community sector for a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The call was made at the National Press Club by Dr Rhonda Galbally, Patron of the National Disability and Carer Alliance and Chair of the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council, on behalf of a broad coalition of supporters.

The proposed Scheme is in line with the AMA’s long-held policy for a long term care scheme for the severely disabled.

Dr Pesce said the AMA today formally pledged its support for the concept of a National Disability Insurance Scheme by joining the campaign organised by the disability and community sector.

“I urge other health professional groups to get behind this campaign,” Dr Pesce said.

Dr Pesce said there were many compelling reasons why the AMA and doctors are enthusiastic about a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

“Doctors are strong supporters of social justice and equity and believe that people with a disability and their families have a right to participate in the community and be supported to do so,” Dr Pesce said.

“Every day, doctors around Australia see the downstream impact of inadequate early support and assistance because we regularly provide medical care for people with disabilities.

“And many doctors get frustrated at being unable to get assistance, care coordination and support services in the community for their patients who have a disability.

“A National Disability Insurance Scheme would provide fairness, equity and a better quality of life for disabled people, their families and their carers.

“It is very encouraging that there is growing community support for such a scheme, and the AMA urges the Government to respond positively to this community sentiment.”'

Shorten Speech in WA

12 August 2009

A significant speech by Bill Shorten to the WA Disability Collective on 6 August following the release of the Shut Out report.

'How we're looking after people with a long-term impairment is a major public policy issue. The 2020 summit threw out a challenge to the Rudd Government. It called for a national disability insurance scheme, both for those catastrophically injured, and for those born with a disability.

As part of developing the National Disability Strategy, we will examine the implications and the potential of such schemes, I hope. An idea like the National Disability Insurance Scheme is ambitious and complex. So is Medicare. So is superannuation' ...

'I think that it is possible to put forward an idea, and then encourage people to own an idea and be empowered and to educate their neighbours and their fellow citizens about the power of an idea ...

'In this cycle of status quo or change, it is not inevitable, but it certainly can be brought to life, and it is possible with the combination, I believe, of clear ideas and animated supporters, who are capable not of necessarily just convincing the politicians - because in my experience, most politicians, left, right, various colours, whatever, they get the importance of disability. But it is only when the electorate demands the urgency of the issues can you see genuine change.'

So - it's up to us to convince our families, friends, colleagues and community to add their voices to the call for a National Disability Insurance Scheme. Please encourage them to take action now.