Every Australian Counts (EAC) says people with disability have forced important changes to the NDIS Bill, but serious concerns remain about new powers that could reduce supports below individual need.

The Bill passed the Senate on 18 August with further Government amendments and will now return to the House of Representatives.

The changes include new safeguards for some participants requiring continuous 24-hour care, protections for some high-intensity and complex supports, improved reassessment and review provisions, greater recognition of risks to families and informal supports, and stronger debt and provider-integrity measures.

EAC Independent Chair Dr George Taleporos said the changes showed why people with disability were right to demand greater scrutiny.

“People with disability spoke up, organised and forced changes to this Bill. Where those changes genuinely strengthen protections, we welcome them.”

“But the central concern remains: Government will still have the power to make Scheme-wide decisions that reduce funding for supports even when an individual person’s needs have not changed and regardless of the individual needs and circumstances.”

“The government must ensure that people with disability continue to get the support we need to live safely, independently and as part of our communities.”

EAC campaigned for stronger protection against Support Determinations and funding caps overriding individual need.

While the new safeguard for some people requiring continuous 24-hour care is important, EAC said it does not protect everyone who could be harmed by a funding reduction.

“Need does not disappear because Government sets a funding cap. No one should have to lose essential support or reach crisis before the NDIS responds.”

EAC said concerns also remain about Ministerial powers, automated decision-making, future Rules, review rights and how the legislation will be implemented.

“Many of the most important decisions are still ahead of us,” Dr Taleporos said.

“The legislation creates the powers. How Government uses them will determine what they mean for people with disability.”

“People with disability must be genuinely involved in developing the Rules, Support Determinations and implementation arrangements. Nothing about us without us must mean something in practice.”

EAC said the Senate vote marks a new phase of the campaign, not the end of it.

“We have forced changes, but we have not secured all the protections people need.”

“If these reforms cause foreseeable harm, Government cannot say it was not warned.”

“We will keep speaking up, keep holding Government to account and keep fighting for an NDIS built around rights, individual need, choice and control.”

Stop the cuts.

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Media contact:
Dr George Taleporos
Every Australian Counts Independent Chair
Text Campaign for contact: 0402 842 040