Media Release

As Parliament debates proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) today, Every Australian Counts implores all parliamentarians to ensure the voices and rights of people with disability are protected.

Key concerns include:

• The legislative changes do not enshrine co-designed with people with disability and our representatives
• People with disabilities under the proposed changes could have significantly restricted access to necessary supports
• Participants may be forced to undergo assessments to prove our needs, without clarity on what those assessments will entail or who is involved
• Choice and control could be diminished
• Some could be forced off the NDIS before alternative state/territory supports are established
• People with psychosocial disabilities may face discrimination
• People with high support needs requiring 24/7 care could be forced into shared living situations, increasing risk of abuse and neglect.
• It may become more difficult to appeal inadequate NDIS plans

For this legislation to earn our community’s acceptance, it must enshrine co-design processes, ensure assessments are conducted fairly by experts, avoid narrowing allowable support options, fund people with high support needs with the support they need to live independently, strengthen transparency and appeals processes, and not disadvantage people with psychosocial disabilities.

We call on all parliamentarians to vigorously pursue amendments protecting NDIS participants’ rights. If such protections are not secured, the disability community will have no choice but to urge Parliament to vote down these changes.

Every Australian Counts stands ready to work constructively with the government and opposition to uphold the integrity of the NDIS on behalf of all Australians with disability.

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David Latham – First Tier Media – mobile: 0479 130 242 email: