The NDIS needs your voice

With the state election around the corner on March 9 we have an opportunity. An opportunity to make sure the National Disability Insurance Scheme is not forgotten.

We want the Commonwealth and State governments to end the deadlock that is holding us back from bringing the NDIS to WA.

We also want to see no fault insurance introduced without delay to protect the thousands of West Australians injured in accidents, as is already happening in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania and which is crucial to beginning  the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS).

Barry Mackinnon who chairs the local Campaign Committee recently wrote to the leaders of all four WA parties asking them about their commitments to timelines and solutions re the NDIS and the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS).

You can find out what each party is promising about the NDIS and NIIS below:

Response from Colin Barnett MLA, Premier of WA

Response from Mark McGowan MLA, Leader of the Opposition

Response from Hon Alison Xamon MLC, Greens Spokesperson for Disability Issues

On Monday 18 February join us to take action – it’s easy to take part. 

1.    Be part of our media call

Support disability activist Samantha Jenkinson at a press conference at the Perth Federal Senate Committee hearing into the NDIS legislation and hear what the Senators have to say : 1 pm,  11 Harvest Terrace cnr Hay St, West Perth. (Wear your tshirt or grab one on the day). Also find out how you can attend the hearings and support those speaking up.

2.    Make some noise on talkback radio

Ring or text talkback radio on Monday morning or afternoon

and tell them you want the next government to end the deadlock and see the NDIS delivered in WA. In the morning between 8.30 am and 12.00 midday contact Geoff Hutchison at 720 ABC local radio or Paul Murray on 6PR  In the afternoon ring or text Howard Sattler 6PR Drive or Russell Woolf on 720 ABC Drive.

Tell them, no matter who wins the next election, it’s time our leaders do what it takes to ensure people with disability, their family and carers are given the support they deserve  click here for speaking notes

150 shades of grey – a very different take on the NDIS Legislation

Ever wondered what the NDIS Legislation might have in common with the infamous novel Fifty shades of Grey?  Wonder no longer.  

Guerilla advocacy group The Bolshy Divas have drawn some pretty interesting parallels in their submission to the Senate Committee Inquiry.

 Here’s a sample ” …if you’re looking for a tale about power – who the dominant powers are and who has the smallest voice – you’ve got it….and just because we’re invited to make a submission – we don’t have to be…well submissive. Its our lives, after all. And isnt that what disability reform is supposed to be about? Changing the balance of power?”

You can read more of this very different submission and many more from around Australia on the Senate Committee’s website http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=clac_ctte/ndis/submissions.htm 

WA asks Premier and PM to be NDIS Champions

From West Australians with disability, their families/carers, service providers, advocates and supporters.

Dear Premier Barnett and Prime Minister Gillard,

Please be our champions and unite to find a way forward for the NDIS and WA.

Hundreds of thousands of West Australians with disability and their families are in limbo, waiting to find out when a combined disability system will enable them to live independent lives without huge financial, physical & emotional costs.

Continue reading »

Letter to Ken Wyatt MP: Make Aust a first world provider

Nov 28 likely date for NDIS legislation

Senator Jan Mclucas said that November 28th is the likely date for the introduction of the NDIS legislation into federal parliament for its first sitting. The Senator was speaking at a morning tea hosted by Senator Louise Pratt in the electorate of Brand, the most marginal Labor seat in WA,  to a number of local campaigners with disabilities as well as family/carers

After a summary from the senator  to bring everyone up to date on progress toward an NDIS there were wide ranging questions that ranged from who would make the assessments to workforce capacity, information and referral and how to cope with the tyranny of distance in WA.

Continue reading »

An excellent nomination. Congratulations Samantha Jenkinson

“When I was young I thought activism was a sprint ! Then later I realised activism was a marathon… And now, finally, I know the truth: Activism is a relay race.

WA disability activist Samantha Jenkinson not  only likes this quote but lives it every day of the week. In recognition of her years of bringing disability issues to the fore,  proposing solutions and creating disability networks, she is a National Disability Award finalist in the category of Minister’s Award for Excellence in Disability Reform.

Samantha sustained a serious spinal injury in a car accident 20 years ago in which she  became quadriplegic.  She then went on to get a degree in social work and has been active both professionally and personally in the disability sector ever since, working in both the West Australian and Victorian systems. In the latter she was employed first by a small service provider breaking new ground in providing brokerage for housing and support, and then by the Human Services Dept as a project officer for direct payments in their transition to individual support packages.

Continue reading »

Senator Mclucas invites you to talk about the NDIS in Brand

One of  the constant asks from the campaign is to send your message to Canberra.  If you are in the electorate of Brand you have a good opportunity to do that and to hear the latest on the NDIS.  Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities is inviting you to morning tea and a chat about the scheme and its progress. The discussion will be hosted by Senator Louise Pratt.

Where : Electorate office of Special Minister of State  Gary Gray –  Unit 1/15 Kent Street, Rockingham.

When  : 10.30 -11.30 7th November

RSVP on 9527 9377.

Matt Cowdrey asks Australia to support the NDIS

As Australia’s greatest ever Paralympian with a whopping 13 gold medals, swimmer Matt Cowdrey knows a lot about effort, determination and what is possible.  Now he’s on radio Australia wide telling the nation that it is possible to get a better disability support system and end the struggle most disabled Australian face on a daily basis.   And he’s asking everyone to support both the DisabiliTEA day and the campaign.

Matt has just voiced 3 community service announcement about the NDIS and DisabiliTEA which will be played on Austereo around the country starting Monday 21st October.

Have a listen here to Matts version  NDIS-MC-30-26-1  and the one voiced by another of our champions Professor Fiona Stanley

NDIS-DT-30-26-1

Question on WA launch money

While we are told that both the WA government and Commonwealth are still open to negotiations on NDIS launch sites there has been no further news on the resolution over who governance issues.

Yesterday the shadow Minister for Disability, Hon. Sue Ellery, asked Minister Helen Morton questions about the proposed launch site funding being made available to some of the many who are currently missing out in WA.

Read the answer here. 

WA & the NDIS – Information from Disabilities Services Commission

Disability Services Commission (DSC) in WA has released public information about various aspects of the NDIS and WA. 

A series of fact sheets outline details of the proposal for an NDIS launch site in Western Australia ; an overview of the My Way project and  information about the WA NDIS Reference Group.  Click on the link below :

http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/disability_reform/ndis.html.