‘Back in the 1970s’: NDIS changes to take away dignity
Disabled Australians have rejected a major funding overhaul that would give a single minister the power to cut support as he sees fit.
People have been given just over two weeks to respond to legislation that would deliver the biggest ever cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Disabled people risk losing their independence and enjoyment, a senate inquiry into proposed changes was told on Tuesday.
The Albanian government argues the cuts are necessary to prevent a $50 billion spending explosion in the plan.
According to modeling by the Grattan Institute, around $11 billion of the $16.6 billion savings forecast for 2029/30 will come from eligibility changes, including more detailed assessments.
The changes are expected to reduce the number of NDIS participants to 598,000 in 2030/31; This figure corresponds to one-third of the expected group if no changes are made.
Advocacy groups say the plan is dangerous and lacks proper guardrails.
Down Syndrome Australia chief executive Darryl Steff told the inquiry that proposed sweeping powers for the NDIS minister could mean people lose funding “at levels below what is considered reasonable and necessary”.
“I don’t think such powers should be in the hands of a minister because there is no opportunity for any scrutiny or consultation with the community,” Mr Steff said, calling for funding changes to be part of primary legislation.
Explanatory notes accompanying the bill say the minister will cut social and community budgets by 50 per cent, primarily covering things like hiring support workers to attend events, shopping and appointments.
Disability advocate Sam Connor said the changes could bring dignity back to the “1970s” for disabled Australians.
“The idea of the NDIS was that we could have an equal role in society, we could get jobs, we could go and be part of society,” he told reporters in Melbourne.
Families will have to shoulder an extraordinary amount of care responsibilities, and demand for mental health and crisis centers will also likely increase, Mr. Steff said.
Like many people who spoke to the inquiry, he said changes were needed to the NDIS but that the practice was inappropriate.
“Customers will face stark choices about what supports to give up,” he said, citing examples of teenagers having to quit sports teams or a 21-year-old who has become dependent on their parents again.
A 2020 report estimated that replacing free disability care with paid support would cost the government $77.9 billion; this was more than double the NDIS bill for the same period.
This open approach will mean that even those who have recently had their social funding cut under the revised NDIS plans will be subject to changes.
The Child and Family Disability Alliance recommended that family and home circumstances be taken into account when considering funding; so people don’t lose their NDIS benefit in situations they can’t afford to switch privately.
The investigation will continue until Thursday.
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