AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNMENT: Although we know new governments and ministers sometimes pick up the narrative of their predecessors, it’s still disappointing new NDIS Minister Mark Butler is seeing forecasted growth in much needed spending on the National Disability Insurance scheme as “unsustainable”.
Like our colleagues over at Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, we’re disappointed at Minister Butler’s National Press Club of Australia declaration the second Albanese Government will target 4–5% growth in the NDIS, rather than the catch-up 22% we’ve seen in recent times after historical massive underspending and under-enrolling on our NDIS.
Real people with disability will miss out on NDIS plan coverage if these so-called reforms get traction, not stereotypes of barely affected people the wider community are pressured to judge.
Like our AFDO counterparts, we believe it’s likely “the move to a lower target (of NDIS participant number growth) can only be achieved by shifting a significant number of current participants off the scheme.” Kicking people off the NDIS is not the way to go. Closing doors to coverage will perpetuate inequality and reduce our standards of living even further.
We note the new $2 billion Thriving Kids youth program that’s being introduced to us has some potential but where are the foundational supports in states and territories that we were promised. What will they actually look like and when will we get them way over here in Western Australia. We are encouraged that our new WA Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley is willing to work with the Commonwealth on co-funded foundational supports and step up for our kids but we also hope our state and federal governments’ dual commitment also extends to adults with disability.
We call on our governments to implement foundational supports now, and benefit our whole community.
- We ask, when will the cash be spent that the federal government is giving back to WA as a #concession after years of underspending on our #DisabilityCommunity?
- We ask, when will our kids get better #DisabilitySupport in WA?
- We ask, where’s the #codesign with WA people with disability on this surprise program Thriving Kids?
How about #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs thanks!
Like our peers at AFDO, we’re worried people with disability and our young people will be forced off the NDIS scheme and be in a situation where they don’t know if they will get access to the supports they and their families and supporters need in this new regime.
Yes, some NDIS service providers charge too much or be sure to maximise returns. But it’s not common. Widespread fraud is another demon-trope. It doesn’t exist. Should more providers be registered? Perhaps.
What we want more than anything is the #ChoiceAndControl the government barely talks about anymore.
Small unregistered providers support us where we are, out here in the community, and in the isolated regions where thin markets mean the big-guy moneymakers ignore us. Don’t lock out the small guys that see us where we’re at and don’t get put off by smaller takings or slimmer margins. Choice and control gives us all value-for-money. If a pricing-and-value judge is to be appointed, please listen to us and truly make them independent of government and the big guys to ensure true value for money and not even more oligopolistic pricing in the future.
We welcome the concept of a newly added to NDIS Reform Advisory Committee to advise on changes, including real responses to the NDIS Review and the Disability Royal Commission. But let’s make sure the committee members are really genuinely independent and representative of our disability community all across the country.
Like AFDO, we:
- Fully support the NDIS and the life-changing impact it has had for many people with disability.
- Call for foundational supports to be implemented urgently to provide equity for all people with disability.
- Urge government to guarantee that no child or adult loses support during any transition to new programs.
- Insist on genuine co-design with people with disability and their representative organisations in all reforms.
Like our members, we will join other members of the disability community in raising our voices to both our federal NDIS ministers – Minister Butler and Senator Jenny McAllister and the newly added to NDIS Reform Advisory Committee and our peers, committee co-chairs El Gibbs and Dougie Herd and WA committee member Carrie Clark. Please do not ignore our views.
Nothing About Us Without Us.
Sincerely,
People with Disabilities Western Australia