National Disability Insurance Scheme

Alan Jones on board

12 June 2009

The broad support for an NDIS continues with strong endorsement by 2GB's Alan Jones in his radio show on Friday 12 June.

In an interview with Ken Baker of NDS, Alan unreservedly expressed his committment to the idea.

Download or listen to the full interview with Ken Baker in the highlights of Alan's show from Friday (second item in the highlights).

Petition for an NDIS

10 June 2009

Support for a National Disability Insurance Scheme is growing - not only amongst people with a disability and their families - but amongst ordinary Australians who want a fair go for all.

It will take political will to reform the disability sector and it's important that we show that the community mandates reform.

We urge you to download this national petition (PDF version) for an NDIS and circulate it to your family, friends, colleagues and networks.

ACTU Congress

6 June 2009

Ringing endorsement from the 2009 ACTU National Congress, with these recommendations in the Social Inclusion and Workforce Participation Policy paper...

National Social Entitlement Scheme for People with Disabilities

51. Congress calls for the thorough examination of a fully funded, no-fault, national disability insurance scheme. Such a scheme should not displace workers’ compensation or transport accident schemes. It should go further than the current proposal, agreed to by Community and Disability Services Ministers in 2008, for nationally consistent outcomes for motor vehicle accident victims and development of a no-fault catastrophic injury scheme.

52. Congress notes that these initiatives will not deliver a national universal care and support based entitlement system covering all people with a disability, so that such people and their families can participate in ordinary lives that the non disabled community takes for granted. For a large group of people with disabilities, care and support is not guaranteed. There is a major unmet demand for services and a growing unmet liability to deliver those service entitlements.

53. Congress believes the time has come for a transformational change in the approach to addressing disability support and care in Australia. Congress believes that now is the time to examine the feasibility of introducing a national social entitlement scheme. Such a scheme should provide a life long entitlement, disabled person-centered support and care, and could sit alongside compulsory superannuation and Medicare as a visionary economic and social reform.

54. The ACTU and unions will work closely with disability organisations, the private sector and State and Commonwealth Governments to campaign for a national social insurance scheme for people with disabilities.

Support from The Australian

1 June 2009

Thanks to The Australian for their great coverage of the NDIS.

An excellent article by Bruce Bonyhady in the 7 May edition of The Australian champions the idea of a National Disability Insurance Scheme saying it, 'is too important and far reaching to be left just to governments, people with disabilities, carers and disability organisations. It needs everyone's support'.

This was followed up by an Editorial in the Weekend edition of The Australian on 30 May. An admirable idea, puts the point very clearly, 'It is clear that Australia's fractured, under-resourced disability support systems need an overhaul' ... 'State and federal taxpayers already fund disability services, but for the cost of a minimal investment shared across the community, an NDIS would generate the resources to provide the disabled, and their families, with security and peace of mind'.

In the same edition, Social Affairs writer, Steven Lunn reinforces the need for an NDIS in his article Disability plan has growing support. He cites Rhonda Galbally, chairwoman of the National People with Disabilities and Carers Council, who says, 'A proposed national disability insurance scheme is a "light on the hill" for the disabled and their carers, a sector more marginalised than at any time in the past 30 years'.

Please show your support by circulating the national petition to your family, friends and colleagues.

Bill Shorten at National Press Club

8 April 2009

It was heartening to see the support given to the National Disability Insurance Scheme at the National Press Club Luncheon in Canberra on 1 April.

In his opening address NDS Chief Executive Ken Baker affirmed the need for such a scheme, while in the keynote speech, 'The right to an ordinary life', Parliamentary Secretary Bill Shorten responded to the concept, saying, 'this is a landmark idea that needs serious debate and investigation to demonstrate how it could work in a country like ours'.

Mr Shorten also referred to the imminent release of of the Disability Investment Group report (DIG) which will recommend that the Government commission a study into the feasibility of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The Australian

30 March 2009

The Australian magazine on Saturday 28 March featured an extensive article by Sue Corrigan called 'The struggle for care'. Her touching personal story mirrors many of those that you have shared on this website.

Sue is in a unique position as she is also able to compare the service system that is available in Australia with that of the UK.

The solution of a National Disability Insurance Scheme is one raised by Bruce Bonyhady in the magazine article and also in an item in the News section of the Weekend Australian - 'Plan for no-fault disability insurance'.

We urge all our supporters to write to The Australian, congratulating them for covering these issues and, most importantly, for highlighting the solution of a National Disability Insurance Scheme letters@theaustralian.com.au