NDIS Campaign's response to draft report from Productivity Commission

The Commission has recommended the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme and has outlined a number of recommendations about the way it could operate and be funded.

The report is long and detailed, examining many of the complex issues that must be addressed before the NDIS can be introduced and implemented. As a result it will take some time for us to go through all the detail. In the meantime the key points are:

• The Commission has accepted that the disability system is "inequitable, underfunded, fragmented and inefficient and gives people with a disability little choice ... a real system for people with disabilities is required." The Commission has therefore accepted the need for reform and for an NDIS. 
• The Commission has also accepted that the nation must better meet the needs of those people who currently do not receive any or only inadequate support and that their improved support packages would be portable across state and territory borders. 
• The Commission recommends the introduction of a fully funded National Disability Insurance Scheme with individualised funding to ensure people with a disability and their families are able to exercise greater choice and control about the supports they need.
• The Commission has also suggested an entirely separate scheme for people requiring lifetime care and support for castrophic injuries. To be known a the NIIS, a no-fault National Injury Insurance Scheme it would draw on the best schemes operating around Australia.

Further analysis and media commentary is on the NDIS website: http://www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au/