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Time for everyone to take a deep breath on the NDIS …
It has been a big couple of weeks for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Last Tuesday we welcomed the Federal Budget allocation of $1 billion to kick off the first stage.
This is an important commitment and provides for a very solid foundation from which to build the NDIS. It is also the first time that the Commonwealth has seriously invested in disability services as a feature of a budget delivered in a very tight fiscal environment.
As part of this announcement, the Federal Government is asking the States to contribute to the NDIS moving forward, with the split being approximately 78% Commonwealth and 22% State. This effectively turns on its head the current arrangements under the National Disability Agreement, where the States fund the majority of the current $7 billion.
The funding from the Federal Government doesn’t extend beyond the initial 20,000 places announced as part of the four NDIS launch sites.
Clearly, funding certainty is needed to ensure the NDIS extends beyond 2014. The Federal Government won’t commit beyond the four launch sites until negotiations conclude with the States and Territories about the long-term funding and governance of the NDIS.
The Federal Government also needs to determine how to fund its share of a fully-implemented NDIS beyond the launch sites. The Productivity Commission indicate that once the NDIS is fully operational this additional extra funding will be an extra $6.5 billion per year, but in reality it may be in the order of $8 billion.
The States have raised concerns about how they will fund their share of the NDIS and are seeking more detail from the Federal Government about the proposal.
Some States have attacked the Federal Government announcement on the NDIS whilst the Federal Opposition have pointed out that the $1 billion over four years announced in the Budget is well below the funding recommended by the Productivity Commission.
Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey has committed at his National Press Club address on 16 May that one of the first acts of an incoming Coalition Government will be to strike a deal will be struck with the States on how the NDIS will be funded. However, ahead of that time, he will not commit to funding the NDIS.
Mr Hockey told the Press Club that: ”You’ve got to live within your means and the government is engaged in a cruel hoax in saying that it’s getting on with the job of the NDIS and then under-funding it.”
From the beginning of the campaign Every Australian Counts has continued to call for unity and bipartisanship on the issue of the NDIS. And so far this has been a successful strategy with the Prime Minister, all States and Territory Governments plus the Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott and the Greens and Independents all backing the NDIS.
Today, we re-emphasise the need for a bipartisan approach to the NDIS so people with disabilities, their families and carers can be certain that the NDIS as recommended by the Productivity Commission will be introduced as soon as possible.
This requires:
a detailed long term funding plan,
the creation of the independent National Disability Insurance Agency and
legislation to be passed to enshrine the NDIS in perpetuity.
We call on our all of our political leaders to address these issues as soon as possible.
Disability levy raises hackles
Courier Mail, 15 May 2012
Anna Caldwell
Steven Wardill
PREMIER Campbell Newman has rejected calls for a levy to fund landmark disability reform, despite refusing Federal
Government requests for the state to help pay for the scheme.
While both sides of the Federal Parliament agree on the need for a National Disability Insurance Scheme, Mr Newman has dug in his heels over funding the state’s share, and criticised the scheme recommended by the Productivity Commission.
The Gillard Government has not ruled out a levy or a tax to pay the $13 billion-a-year price tag on the full scheme - an option canvassed last year by the Productivity Commission and also requires states to spend extra money to roll the scheme out nationally.
Mr Newman said the Commonwealth was playing a cynical political game and there was no need for a levy.
“If the Federal Government was serious about these things they would go and try and find those savings, the money is there,” he said.
The Courier-Mail revealed yesterday Queensland currently contributes the least of all the states to each person with a disability, at $5830 per person.
The Federal Government considers Queensland’s current spend on disability services unreasonable, and wants the state to contribute more to fund a national lifetime care plan that will offer equal support and services to all Australians no matter where or how they acquire their disability.
Mr Newman also attacked the Gillard Government’s budgeted $1 billion commitment to fund four launch sites of the NDIS from next year, saying only about $330 million would reach disabled people.
“The rest of the money goes to a new bureaucracy and a computer system over four years over the whole of Australia,” he said. “So if we are going to do something like this let’s get the money to the people in need, not the bureaucrats and the people who sell computer systems.”
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott yesterday sidestepped questions about a levy but called for a bipartisan committee to make sure the reforms happened.
“According to the Productivity Commission’s timetable, the NDIS will be fully rolled out over three terms of parliament and to ensure that we maintain our focus, to make sure that we keep the momentum going, it is important we do set up this committee to establish leadership on this, to make sure all the details have been meticulously worked through and got right,” he said.
What we know
- NDIS will provide lifetime care and support to people with a disability, no matter how or where it is acquired
- Cost about $13 billion a year nationally double the current spend on disabilities
- Queensland currently has the lowest spend of any of the states per person with a disability
- Gillard Government has budgeted $1 billion for four or five launch sites
- No decision yet about the national rollout or funding
- A tax or Medicare style levy has been mooted as one option
Disability scheme is a big step forward
- Evelyn Yasmine writes about what a difference the NDIS will make in today’s Daily Telegraph
IAN and Jo Smith believe the national disability insurance scheme is a step in the right direction but want all Australians with disabilities to have equal access.
Their youngest daughter Cate, 2, has Down syndrome. Mrs Smith, 46, said it was difficult raising a child with a lifelong disability while juggling the needs of her two other children, James, 7, and Emily, 5.
“It’s a big step forward and I think it’s going to be a great way to change the way that people with disability can live and will clear the pathway for accessing services and getting their needs met,” Mrs Smith, of Coogee, said.
Mrs Smith said for people to benefit from the scheme, it has to be fair and equal across all disabilities.
$1 billion kickstart for national disability scheme
Have you seen the media reports after last night’s budget? Read what Dan Harrison wrote in the SMH today, Wednesday 9 May 2012
AN INJECTION of $1billion will kickstart the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The funding, to be delivered over four years, demonstrates the Commonwealth’s commitment to the scheme, but is less than some disability campaigners had hoped for.
People with a disability will be individually assessed and will work with a local co-ordinator to develop a support plan, taking into account their goals and needs.
Media release: NDIS: Budget makes it real
The Every Australian Counts campaign welcomes tonight’s historic announcement that $1 billion will be allocated over the next four years towards the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Budget allocation includes $342.5 million over three years for individualised packages for people with a disability and their families.
How will the NDIS work?
John Della Bosca says funding the NDIS will be less costly than the future expense of disability.
THE Prime Minister’s announcement to fund a National Disability Insurance Scheme has been warmly welcomed – especially by Every Australian Counts who organised the national rallies and has lobbied long and hard.
Its campaign director, John Della Bosca, tells 3Q that people with a disability have been mistreated for years. The plan to institute a Medicare-style scheme a year earlier than recommended by the Productivity Commission is the first step in correcting the inequity.
He urges all states and territories to sign on to the NDIS.
Media release: Don’t forget the NDIS tonight
The Every Australian Counts campaign will mark tonight’s budget by launching three new hard hitting messages that are designed to explain the desperate need for an NDIS to all Australians. As we speak more than 350,000 postcards are being delivered to our supporter’s homes, community organisations and business who will distribute them over the next 14 days.
Media Release: Disability Community Hangs on Federal Budget
Immediate Release – 07 May 2012
Tomorrow’s Budget marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix the crisis in disability through the funding of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The Every Australian Counts campaign will mark the occasion by launching three new hard hitting postcards designed to explain the desperate need for an NDIS to all Australians. Today more than 350,000 postcards are being delivered to our supporter’s homes, community organisations and business who will distribute them over the coming days.
The postcards can be viewed by clicking here
The three messages contained in the postcards are:
Question: Which country expects a child to wait more than 2 years for a wheelchair?
Answer: Australia
Question: Which country expects someone to live with only 2 showers a week?
Answer: Australia
Question: Which country abandons young people to life in a nursing home?
Answer: Australia
John Della Bosca Every Australian Counts Campaign Director said people with a disability, their families and carers as well as service providers were desperately awaiting news of the funding of the NDIS.
“In every street, in every town, in every state, the eyes of people with a disability and their family will be glued to the budget announcement. They want today to be a turning point – the day when the country said it was time for a fair go for people with a disability and their families. The day when the country said it was time for them to finally get what they need, when they need it”.
“The campaign has today launched three new messages. They tell the brutal and shameful truth about our disability system. Each message is based on the true stories of our supporters. In fact in many areas in Australia waiting only two years for a wheelchair for your son or daughter would be seen as an improvement.,” he said
“ The postcards are designed to shine a light on the state of our disability system. The Treasurer can start to fix this tomorrow night but it will require a commitment of significant funds in this year’s budget.”
12 y old Perth campaigner asks Tony Abbott to keep his promise
She may only be twelve years only but Neve Guilfoile has been a hardworking member of the EAC campaign in WA with her brother Eamon, mum Julie and dad Jim. Yesterday she was allowed the day off school to attend the Perth march and rally and away from the crowds she spotted Tony Abbott and took the opportunity to ask if he would keep his promise to be Dr Yes to an NDIS and
help her 16yr old brother Eamon and all the other people who need support. See the story here http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/perth-rally-for-national-disability-scheme/story-e6frg13u-1226342327472
Rain, hail or shine! BRISBANE RALLIES for NDIS
Queenslanders who want to Make the NDIS Real will march on Monday 30 April at 12 noon from State Library Qld, continue across Victoria Bridge to rally at 1pm at Reddacliff Place (river end of Queen St in CBD).
Our 3 minute political speakers are Senator Jan McLucas, Teresa Gambaro MP for Brisbane, Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale and Tracy Davis Qld Minister for Disability Services.
Our EMCEE is Paralympian and public speaker Karni Liddell!
Plus Sarah Johnson from the Productivity Commission team, Fiona Anderson from Qld Every Australian Counts campaign and David Barbagallo, CEO of Endeavour Foundation.
Don’t miss this historic day for the NDIS!
Join the campaign
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events- Leading pollies round out Melbourne rally
- Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes AM to address Melbourne rally
- Rudely Interrupted to rock the Melbourne NDIS rally ...
- President of Advocacy Tasmania David Pearce OAM to address Hobart rally
- NDIS champion Tricia Malowney to address Melbourne rally
- Big Day Out-look: Pakenham to go all the way to the city
- Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek invites you to a forum on the NDIS
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In the media
In the media- BIPARTISANSHIP OR WEDGE POLITICS FOR PM - 16 May, 2012
- States to rebel on disability scheme - 15 May, 2012
- Money and detail: post-budget NDIS analysis - 14 May, 2012
- Explainer: The National Disability Insurance Scheme - 10 April, 2012
- Disability help a win for us all - 10 March, 2012
- Media Release - Make It Real - 23 February, 2012
- Show us the money - 22 February, 2012
- See Stella twice in two days: discounted tix, free workshop - 10 February, 2012
