19 AUGUST 2024

NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US: EAC DEMANDS A PAUSE ON THE NDIS AMENDMENT BILL

Before passing the Bill the Government needs to: 

• Ensure there is agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories to give certainty on Foundational Supports so that people are not left without essential support.
• Co-design and evaluate a fair approach to funding our support needs with guaranteed and robust mechanisms for review and appeal.
• Commit that people with disabilities won’t be forced to to pay for the Government’s mandatory assessments.
• Promise that mandatory assessments won’t force people to share their support.
• Provide the necessary time for genuine codesign of the definition of an NDIS Support (Section 10).

“There have been a further 26 amendments to the Bill proposed since the second senate inquiry.  The government needs to work with our community to understand these amendments, what they mean for our NDIS and how they will affect our lives. We need the opportunity to work with the Government to ensure the rights of people with disability are protected.  We must ensure that our rights to choice and control and reasonable and necessary support remain central to our NDIS.” Independent Chair of EAC, Dr George Taleporos said.

“Our community holds serious concerns about the NDIS Bill. We are asking each member of Parliament to protect our NDIS, and support the thousands of people with disability and our families within your constituency. Please hit pause on the Government’s proposed NDIS Bill and work with people with disability and our representative organisations.  Nothing about us without us.” Deputy Chair of EAC, Nick Avery said.

“The Government is trying to pass legislation I know will put me at risk of death or harm through lack of the right supports, or being hit with debts I can never pay off for things I might know are genuinely disability needs, but could be deemed guilty over with no recourse.” Cat Walker, EAC supporter and NDIS participant.

“This is a passionate appeal to anyone who is involved in the NDIS bill, your decency as a compassionate human being and to do what is right. I am terrified of the consequences the current bill before parliament will have on the rights of people with disability and the support we have a right to.” Scott Harry,  EAC supporter and NDIS participant.

Enquiries: Nick Avery,0476 315 694