The abilityNEWS Daily
Editor’s Note
The changes to the NDIS announced last month were huge - the most significant since its inception. But the scheme’s always shape-shifted.
The image of change used to illustrate this post actually comes from an AFDO post late last year. Again, at that time, the government was insisting the changes would “make the NDIS more sustainable and participant-focused.
Apparently they didn’t. It’s easy to be cynical but this time the changes are here to stay.
The mood in government now is to make changes work. Barring an unlikely back-track from the Opposition, they will be passed. And, if the states hold out and refuse to provide services, Canberra insists it won’t be picking up the slack. So it’s worth getting our heads around the detail of what’s going to happen.
That’s exactly what some of the sharpest minds in the sector have been doing. We’ve collected some of the most recent (and best) analyses below.
The most useful public explainer is the ABC’s five-point guide, but the best short explanation of the NDIS changes is undoubtedly the article by Helen Dickinson and Ebe Ganon-Davey here (re-published in the Medical Journal of Australia).
People with Disability Australia has the strongest sector explainer on what the changes could mean.
The most accessible explainer is Inclusion Australia’s Easy Read, while the most useful operational link for providers is from Team DSC.
[continued on the abilityNEWS website with more links]
The Briefing
NDS urges system redesign after Butler’s Press Club intervention
National Disability Services says the sector response should move beyond reactive enforcement and focus on market design, transparency, accountability and sustainability across the NDIS. This ‘comment’ item appears as a CEO reflections piece rather than a standard formal media release.
PWDA uses Jane Britt’s story to argue that ‘reasonable and necessary’ supports fund ordinary life
PWDA profiles disability policy consultant and NDIS participant Jane Britt to illustrate what “reasonable and necessary” support looks like in practice. The item is directly tied to PWDA’s campaign against NDIS cuts.
WWDA says the NDIS reform announcement has left the disability community reeling
Women With Disabilities Australia says many people would be feeling uncertainty and fear after the minister’s reform announcement, highlighting concerns about participation funding, eligibility changes and market reform.
PWDA lodges submission to the parliamentary inquiry into NDIS integrity
PWDA says it has contributed to the Joint Standing Committee inquiry, focusing on the effectiveness of integrity measures and the reforms needed to safeguard participants.
WWDA warns rising fuel costs are disproportionately affecting the disability community
WWDA says rising fuel prices are affecting access to transport supports used for medical appointments, work and community participation.
The Wrap
Larissa Waters: Greens to fight 'revolting' Labor on NDIS cuts 'with everything we've got'
An in-window interview in which Larissa Waters condemned Labor’s NDIS overhaul and said the Greens would fight it “with everything we’ve got”.
The Australian Paywall: Yes
Anthony Albanese says improving voters’ lives is the best way to fight right-wing populism and Pauline Hanson
Guardian Australia interviewed the Prime Minister on the government’s broader political program, with NDIS spending restraint appearing as part of the budget and reform context. Disability is not the main subject of the piece, but the article frames NDIS curtailment as one of the government’s urgent budget priorities.
Guardian Australia | Tom McIlroy
What are we here for? Anthony Albanese’s Labor government faces the defining test of its appetite for reform
Guardian Australia examined internal Labor thinking ahead of the budget, including the government’s appetite for reform and structural spending restraint. The NDIS is not the central subject, but the article notes senior ministers believe there is a mandate to rein in scheme costs.
Guardian Australia | Dan Jervis-Bardy
The personal politics of the NDIS
Georgia Cranko argues that the budget-confirmed NDIS cuts force disabled people to bear the cost of systemic abuse and neglect.
The Saturday Paper | Georgia Cranko Paywall: Yes
Criminal NDIS exploitation part of 'broader trend': official
News.com.au reports on evidence to the NDIS inquiry that organised crime groups are exploiting the scheme as part of a broader pattern of targeting government payment systems. The report also said NDIA officials identified common forms of misconduct, including claims for services not provided, incorrect weekend rates and problematic providers.
'A soft target for crooks': Shocking extent of NDIS fraud revealed
9News reports that a parliamentary inquiry heard more than $3.5 billion of NDIS funds were tainted by fraud, with officials alleging coercion, criminal gangs and exploitation of vulnerable participants. The article says the inquiry found an estimated 8 per cent of the $45 billion scheme had been affected and quotes Jenny McAllister saying the NDIS had become “a soft target for crooks”.
9News | Joseph Sahyoun
Billions of NDIS funds lost to 'integrity leakage' last year, executive tells parliamentary hearing
About $3.7 billion in NDIS money was handed out inappropriately last financial year, according to evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into scheme integrity. The story also reported concern from the Commonwealth Ombudsman about the new algorithmic process proposed for NDIS funding decisions.
ABC News | Evan Young and Mary Lloyd
Billions lost to fraud and misuse in NDIS, inquiry told
SBS News published a short audio item on evidence to the NDIS inquiry that billions of dollars are being lost to fraud, misuse and other forms of “integrity leakage”.
'Unbearable': care provider fined over burns death
A regional disability care provider has been heavily fined over the death of a young woman who suffered fatal burns in a bathtub while in care.
Canberra Times Paywall
NDIS reform: Saffioti warns disability overhaul will take longer than Canberra wants
The West Australian reported WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti’s warning that the disability overhaul will take longer than Canberra wants. The item is paywalled, but visible metadata identifies it as a state-federal implementation story on NDIS reform.
The West Australian | Jessica Page Paywall
Mum's fight to help son living with severe disability
A Current Affair reported on Dani Bryant’s struggle to secure appropriate support for her 18-year-old son Zac, who has severe disability and is non-verbal. The story says the family turned to the NDIS for semi-independent living support but claims early providers were unregistered and kept limited records.
9Now | A Current Affair
NDIS reform: Saffioti warns disability overhaul will take longer than Canberra wants
The West Australian reports WA minister Rita Saffioti warning that the disability overhaul will take longer than Canberra wants. The story sits in state politics, carries an NDIS tag, and is marked Premium on the page.
The West Australian | Jessica Page Paywall: Yes