Government response to calls for Royal Commission

"We know best". A Royal Commission into institutional abuse of people with disability has again been rejected by the Australian government
Catia Malaquias, Starting with Julius, 27 May 2017

... the Social Services Minister Christian Porter ... says that “we take the view that engaging in real and immediate and very substantial reform — which is precisely what we’re doing — is a much better response than yet another inquiry.” He was referring to the new NDIS Safety and Quality Commission which won’t apply to people with disability outside the NDIS and will only hear complaints as to the future from when it is established.

But a Royal Commission is not just “another inquiry”. It is a real inquiry with real powers, appropriate protections and greater capacity to be accessible for people with disability, particularly in institutional settings ...

Down Syndrome Australia welcomes the Disability Support Pension Review Recommendations

Down Syndrome Australia

11 May 2017

Down Syndrome Australia welcomes the final report of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit Inquiry into Qualifying for the Disability Support Pension which has been tabled today in the House of Representatives.

In recent years, people with Down syndrome have been subjected to unnecessary, time consuming and stressful medical reviews to prove that they continue to be eligible for the DSP. Down Syndrome Australia has been strongly advocating for a change to the review process for the Disability Support Pension.

In the report tabled today, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has recommended 

“the Department of Social Services review the List 1 of conditions that provide eligibility for manifest grants of the Disability Support Pension. The Committee recommends particular attention is given to the merits of including chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome, on List 1.”

Down Syndrome Australia CEO, Ellen Skladzien said “We are very pleased that the Committee has listened and responded to the concerns we raised in our submission. These unnecessary reviews not only put needless burden on families but also are an inefficient approach and a waste of limited resources. The inquiry has clearly revealed the need for a more targeted approach to reviews and ensuring that appropriate safeguards are put in place to avoid unnecessary burdens on people with a disability and their families.”

Down Syndrome Australia also welcomes the recommendation for the Department of Human Services and the Department of Social Services to conduct an end-to-end review of the administration of the Disability Support Program, including consultation with stakeholders as well as a recommendation to provide people with more time to provide medical evidence to the Department.

• Final report of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit Inquiry into Qualifying for the Disability Support Pension
• Joint Committee's media release, 10 May 2017

Budget 2017: What it means for carers

Carers Australia

11 May 2017

Carers Australia has produced a document outlining a number of the key measures in the recent Federal Budget which may affect unpaid carers. 

Please note that Budget measures must be passed by Parliament before they can come into effect.

Summary The Budget did not include any new measures that will directly affect carer support services or social welfare payments devoted to carers. 

Several measures were announced that relate to the interests of carers, including additional supports for the people to whom they provide care.

• Click here to read more.

Federal Budget 2017: media commentary

Today's media is, of course, full of news and opinion on the Federal Budget delivered last night. These links, compiled by People with Disability Australia, include mainstream media comment on budget measures likely to directly impact people with disabilities:

Budget 2017 sees Medicare rebate freeze slowly lifted and more funding for the NDIS: experts respond, The Conversation, 9 May 2017

Federal budget: Medicare levy and taxes to fully fund National Disability Insurance Scheme, The Guardian, 9 May 2017

Medicare levy slug for NDIS worthwhile, PM, AAP/Yahoo 7, 10 May 2017

2017 budget a 'responsible plan' that will lead to better days: Turnbull, Breakfast, Radio National, 10 May 2017 (audio file)

Welcome change of tack in health education and housing, but vilification of people who are unemployed continues,  Australian Council of Social Services, 9 May 2017

Added 11 May 2017:

'I'm not saying no to Gary': Treasurer reveals personal struggle behind NDIS budget decision, The Age, 10 May 2017

________________________________

The Australian Government provides information on budget measures by each portfolio - this page gives links to those relevant to the Department of Social Services, likely to be relevant to many people with disabilities and their carers:

Budget 2017-18
Australian Department of Social Services, 10 May 2017

• Portfolio Budget Contents
• Media releases
• Fact sheets

The Australian Government Budget website also has more information about the Budget 2017-18.

Federal Budget 2017: disability sector commentary

Great NDIS and job support wins, but harsh welfare measures for people with disability
Disabled People’s Organisations Australia, 9 May 2017

Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia) welcomes some big wins for people with disability in tonight’s Federal Government Budget, but is very concerned by the punitive approach to welfare support that will make life harder for those doing it tough, including people with disability.  “We are extremely pleased to hear that an increase in the Medicare levy will fully fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme and finally guarantee the support needs of people with disability”, said Ms Therese Sands, Director, DPO Australia. “The NDIS is a critical investment in our social infrastructure, an investment for all Australians, now and into the future” ... read the full media release here.

A fully funded NDIS: certainty for every Australian

Every Australian Counts, 9 May 2017

Treasurer Scott Morrison tonight confirmed the government will fully fund the NDIS beyond 2019. 

In his Budget speech tonight, Mr Morrison announced the Commonwealth will increase the Medicare Levy from 2% to 2. from 2019 to help fund the NDIS. 

One fifth of the money raised by the Medicare levy, along with NDIS underspends and other savings will be channeled into the NDIS Savings Fund ... read the full media release here.

Federal Budget 2017: Down Syndrome Australia commentary

Budget Night 2017-2018

9 May 2017

Down Syndrome Australia's CEO, Dr Ellen Skladzien provides this useful summary of tonight's Federal Budget, on items most relevant to Australians with Down syndrome and their families:

The most positive news for the disability sector in the budget was the decision to provide full funding to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) through an increase in the Medicare Levy of 0.5 % from July 2019.  This will provide important funding for the Scheme going forward. It is likely to be controversial as it is basically a tax increase- but provides ongoing funding for NDIS and security for the scheme going forward.

One area of concern in the budget is a funding cut of $12 million to the Information, Linkages and Capacity building component of NDIS.  This is funding that supports organisations, like Down Syndrome organisations, that deliver information, referrals and peer support to people with disability. It is also the part of the scheme designed to assist people with disability who are not eligible for an individualised NDIS package of support. The Government has rationalised this by indicating it is due to WA not joining the national scheme.  However, given that the current level of ILC funding is extremely low compared to the required level of support required in the sector, it is disappointing to see this cut.

Other key budget measures for disability include:

• $33 million dollar package to support aged care and disability workforce growth
• $209 million to establish the Independent NDIS Quality and Safeguards commission
• Investment in Disability Employment Services program over the next 4 years including funding to index payments, funding attached to individuals rather than service providers, and a trial to provide DES to children with a disability in their final years of schooling.
• Changes to the residency requirements for the DSP and age pension.

There are also a range of health measures which will potentially have a positive impact on people with Down syndrome including:

• Lifting the freeze on the indexation of the MBS and reversing the removal of bulk-billing for diagnostic imaging and the increase in PBS copayment and related charges
• $165 million mental health package including $80 million for community psychosocial services
• Investment in health research
• Decision not to privatise Australian Hearing

There was also significant investment in education taking on the Gonski funding model.  This was announced in the lead up to the budget and has been somewhat controversial due to concerns about decreased funding to some private schools.

Overall there are some really positive outcomes; however, Down Syndrome Australia will continue to monitor the ILC situation- particularly if WA changes their approach to NDIS.

BSWAT Payment Scheme: reminder to register and/or apply by 30 April 2017

Thousands of people with intellectual impairment are entitled to a one-off payment through the Australian Government’s BSWAT Payment Scheme. 

Between 2004 and 2014, the Business Services Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) was used to assess the wages of many supported employees of Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs). 

In 2012, the Federal Court determined that the BSWAT indirectly discriminated against two ADE employees with an intellectual disability. 

The Australian Government has set up the BSWAT Payment Scheme ... read the full page of information and links here

• An Easy Read version of this web page is available here.

People must register for the scheme by 30 April 2017. If they don’t register they cannot apply for a payment, even if they may have been eligible. 

It's quick and easy to register online. Alternatively, people can call 1800 799 515 or send an email.

Read the second issue of BSWAT News here - lots of information about the payment Payment Scheme. If you haven’t already subscribed, you can subscribe here.

NSW parliamentary forum on health discrimination

Call to action from NSW Council for Intellectual Disability:

 Help us strike while the iron is hot to keep disability health in the political spotlight. 

Thanks to your support we have been able to organise a Parliamentary Forum, which will focus on the very high rates of preventable deaths for people with intellectual disability. The forum will be held on Friday 31 March at 12 noon in Parliament House.

The Minister for Disability Services, Hon Raymond Williams will address the forum, as will the Shadow Ministers for Health and Disability.

Your local MP has received an invitation, but we need your voice to ensure they attend the event. The more politicians we have there, the more pressure there will be on the government to act. 

The event is little more than a week away, so we need you to phone or email them right now, to lock it into their calendar. 

• Guide to how you can contact your MP 

Apply for, or register for, BSWAT payment by 30 April 2017

BSWAT Payment Scheme
Dept Social Services, 27 February 2017

Thousands of people with intellectual impairment are entitled to a one-off payment through the Australian Government’s BSWAT Payment Scheme. 

Between 2004 and 2014, the Business Services Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) was used to assess the wages of many supported employees of Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs). 

In 2012, the Federal Court determined that the BSWAT indirectly discriminated against two ADE employees with an intellectual disability. 

The Australian Government has set up the BSWAT Payment Scheme ... read the full page of information and links here

• An Easy Read version of this web page is available here.

Note:

* If a person is not ready to apply, they can register for the scheme by 30 April 2017. They then have until 30 November 2017 to apply for a payment. It's quick and easy to register for the scheme using this online form. Or, people can call 1800 799 515 or send an email.

BSWAT Scheme Newsletter, Issue #1, 9 March 2017

Not everyone will receive payments the size of this one, but it is worth applying for a payment if you meet the criteria:

Grampians man with disability paid $2.52 an hour

Jessica Black, The Courier, 11 March 2017

An intellectually disabled Grampians man has been compensated by the Commonwealth after being paid as little as $2.52 an hour in government funded workshops.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, received $26,000 in back pay after he was paid between $2.52 and $3.23 an hour at Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE), lawyer Kairsty Wilson said ...

• Earlier posts on the BSWAT payment scheme and its history

NSW disability sector news

You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone…

NSW Council on Intellectual Disability, 6 March 2017

Did you know the NSW Government has no plans to fund state based advocacy services beyond the middle of 2018?

This includes services like IDRS, Disability Advocacy NSW and NSW CID.

An article published in the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday, has highlighted the risks people with intellectual disability will be faced with once advocacy services are no longer available ...

• NSW support services facing funding cut in NDIS transition, Kelsey Munro, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 March 2017

Benevolent Society to Take Over NSW Govt Disability Support Services
Lina Caneva, Probono Australia News, 2 March 2017
Australia’s oldest charity, The Benevolent Society, has been chosen to operate the NSW government’s specialist disability support services – described as Australia’s largest provider of clinical services for people with disability.

The major win for the charity will see the organisation double its workforce and operations.

The NSW Minister for Disability Services Ray Williams made the announcement of the new provider for disability clinical services (which are currently part of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services) on Thursday ...

... Clinical services comprises staff who are case managers, psychologists, behaviour support practitioners, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists working in multidisciplinary teams ...

Clickability

Clickability is an Australian disability service directory that features ratings and reviews from the people who actually use the services.It's expansion into NSW was announced on 1 March 2017.

The website includes a blog that aims to 'to encourage discussion and debate about important disability-related issues within the community.'

Open letter to Minister Williams, from people with intellectual disability

On his first day as Minister of Disability Services, NSW Council for Intellectual Disability Members have written Minister Williams a letter. You can read or listen to their letter on the NSW CID blog:

Dear Minister Williams, 

Today is the first day of Parliament for 2017 and you will commence in your new role as Minister of Disability Services. This is a very important position as you are now responsible for defending and upholding the human rights of all people with intellectual disability in NSW. 

The NSW Council for Intellectual Disabilities (NSW CID) asks that you make a commitment to listen to people with an intellectual disability. Really listen and take the time to do this. 

Today you will also be met with protestors outside Parliament, angry about the way the NSW Government is undertaking the transfer of disability services to the non government sector and concerned about the quality of care that people with disability will receive in the future ...

Responses to 'omnibus Bill'

Disabled People’s Organisations Australia response, posted 13 February 2017

Childcare linked to NDIS funding? An explainer

Every Australian Counts, 14 February 2017

The Turnbull Government yesterday announced they’d dedicate another $3billion to the NDIS but it’s not quite as simple as that. Here’s what has been happening in Canberra over the last 24 hours.

To cut a very long story short, two years ago the then Abbott Government committed over $4billion to childcare, making an average family with kids in childcare around $30 a week better off.

... We’ll keep an eye on it as it develops but if there is a positive to come from all this politicking, it has been to hear multiple senior members of government reaffirm their commitment to fully funding the NDIS.

Brakes put on Government's Omnibus Bill

Nick Xenophon,  media release, 14 February 2017
After exhaustive consideration, the Nick Xenophon Team will not support the Government’s Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017 ...

Childcare changes: Nick Xenophon Team blocks Federal Government's omnibus bill
Matthew Doran and Julie Doyle, ABC News, 14 February 2017

The Nick Xenophon Team has announced it will not support the Federal Government's package of changes to child care and welfare benefits ... Without the support of the three Nick Xenophon Team senators from South Australia, the bill now needs the support of the Greens to pass the Upper House — something that appears unlikely ...

Don’t fund the NDIS with cuts to social services and childcare

13 February 2017

Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia), is alarmed and concerned that the Federal Government is linking budget cuts in the Omnibus Bill, now before the Senate, with funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“We are shocked and troubled about this announcement from Treasurer Scott Morrison that once again links cuts to social security with funding for the NDIS,” said Ms Therese Sands, Director, DPO Australia.

“We have stated clearly, including in our pre-budget submission, that we reject any ties to funding the NDIS by cutting social security. We strongly reject measures that would seek to fill any perceived or potential shortfall in NDIS funding through a shift in revenue from other human services. ”

Down Syndrome Australia submission on adding NIPS to the Medicare Benefit Scheme

From Down Syndrome Australia, 4 February 2017

Over the last few years the capacity to test for genetic conditions such as Down syndrome before birth has increased. It is now possible to detect various chromosomal conditions prenatally through a blood test also known as a non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS). The Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) received two applications in July 2016 to add NIPS to the Medicare Benefit Scheme.

For your information,  the applications that have been made to MSAC are here and here 

Down Syndrome Australia has provided a comprehensive submission which outlines our concerns about these applications.

Down Syndrome Australia believes that prenatal screening must be accompanied by appropriate information to support families in making informed decisions about screening and how to respond to the results. Providing a screening test without ensuring informed consent, adequate support and up-to-date information regarding the results is unethical.

It is important to note that Down Syndrome Australia recognises the right of all women to choose to continue or to terminate a pregnancy. Marking such decisions can be extremely difficult and our concern is regarding the accuracy of the information being provided to inform that choice ...

• You can read more and download the DSA submission, including recommendations, on the DSA website, here

If you want to provide your own feedback to MSAC regarding the listing of NIPS on the PBS you can write to: hta@health.gov.au

NSW cabinet reshuffled

NSW has a new Premier and cabinet, who will be sworn in today, at Government House.

Contact details for all NSW Ministers are listed on the NSW Parliament website, here.

While the needs of people with disabilities living in NSW are served by all cabinet members, these portfolios are likely to be of particular interest:

Premier - Gladys Berejiklian 

Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research - Brad Hazzard 

Minister for Education - Rob Stokes 

Minister for Family and Community Services, Minister for Social Housing, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault - Pru Goward 

Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Disability Services - Raymond Craig Williams

Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Women, and Minister for Ageing - Tanya Davies 

Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and Assistant Minister for Education - Sarah Mitchell

National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 to build inclusive and accessible communities: submissions invited

The Senate Community Affairs References Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into
The delivery of outcomes under the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 to build inclusive and accessible communities

(one of six priorities identified in the strategy)

The terms of reference are:

• the planning, design, management, and regulation of:
• the built and natural environment, including commercial premises, housing, public spaces and amenities,
• transport services and infrastructure, and
• communication and information systems, including Australian electronic media and the emerging Internet of things;
• potential barriers to progress or innovation and how these might be addressed;
• the impact of restricted access for people with disability on inclusion and participation in economic, cultural, social, civil and political life; and
• any other related matters.

Details of how to make a submission are here.

Submissions should be received by 17 March 2017. The reporting date is 13 September 2017.

• National Disability Strategy 2010 - 2020

Centrelink debt recovery fiasco must be suspended: Disabled People's Orgnisations Australia

5 January 2017

Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia) calls for the Centrelink debt recovery process to be immediately halted, amid concern about the impact on people with disability.

“We are concerned that the current debt recovery process, that uses automated data matching, is particularly unfair for people with disability,” says Matthew Bowden, Co-CEO, People with Disability Australia, and spokesperson for DPO Australia.

Centrelink has recently begun to use data from the Australian Tax Office to check records about people’s income, without staff involvement or oversight. People have received debt notifications, sometimes going back six years and have had a limited time to respond.

“Many people with disability rely on social security payments to make ends meet. For those that work in casual or contract work, this new system appears to be particularly problematic,” said Mr Bowden.

“The majority of people with disability being reviewed will have been entitled to social security payments and have done nothing wrong. Cutting social security payments to recover debts in this way could leave people with disability substantially worse off, and we already know that almost half of all people with disability live in poverty. People with disability are being made more vulnerable by how these policies are implemented.

“Springing this kind of change on people just before Christmas, with no additional resources to assist them, is unacceptable.

“People with disability may need more time and support to understand the information and respond, may need the information in different, accessible formats and should have increased advocacy available to engage with the Centrelink system and manage such a stressful situation," said Mr Bowden.

“DPO Australia is calling for the Federal Government to immediately suspend this automated debt recovery system and start to sort out the mess that has been created.

“Advocacy support needs to be significantly ramped up to make sure people with disability are not disadvantaged by poorly planned and implemented changes like this in government policy,” said Mr Bowden.

Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia) is an alliance of four national Disabled People’s Organisations (organisations made up of and led by people with disability).
DPO Australia was founded by, and is made up of the First Peoples Disability Network Australia (FPDNA) representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) representing culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability, People with Disability Australia (PWDA) a national cross disability organisation and Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA), the national organisation representing women and girls with disability.

National Disability and Carers Advisory Council Communiqué

The National Disability and Carers Advisory Council (NDCAC) held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday 14 December 2016 in Canberra.

At its first meeting the Council discussed and agreed on the Terms of Reference and the role of Council in a number of key policy areas:

• National Disability Strategy (NDS) Reinvigoration
• National Disability Insurance Scheme – Transition 
• Disability Employment Services Reform
• Carer Reform and the Integrated Plan for Carer Support Services
• Regulatory Reform
• Working Groups

• Read the full text of the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council Communiqué  here.

BSWAT court case result

Many people with Down syndrome working in Australian Disability Enterprises could be eligible for payments. Information from People with Disability Australia, 16 December 2016:

Lengthy and dedicated advocacy work has resulted in a win for employees with disability. 

Today the Federal Circuit Court of Australia has approved the settlement of the class action between the Commonwealth and employees of Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) whose wages had been assessed under the Business Services Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT). 

The decision is worth tens of millions of dollars that will benefit employees with disability working in ADEs around Australia.

PWDA encourages all eligible employees of Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) to register under the Business Services Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) Payment Scheme. This scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible ADE employees. 

For information on the BSWAT Payment Scheme, you can call the AED Legal Centre on (03) 9650 2533 and leave a message or email noni.lord@aed.org.au 

You can register by visiting the website at: https://bswat.dss.gov.au/, phoning the BSWAT Hotline on 1800 880 052, or email bswatpayments@dss.gov.au

Dept Human Service Services response on recent DSP hearing

The Department of Human Services has responded to the concerns of Down Syndrome Australia about the recent discussion of Down syndrome at the Disability Support Pension hearing in Canberra.

Down Syndrome Australia appreciates this prompt response but continues to have concerns about the inability of the senior bureaucrat to respond to a question of whether Down syndrome could be cured. DSA will continue to advocate on the DSP as people with Down syndrome should not be required to repeatedly provide evidence of their disability.

Please feel free to send DSA any examples or stories about problems with access to DSP to our info email. DSA will bring these to the attention of the Department and the Minister.

Read the letter DSA sent to the Department (PDF), and the letter received back from the Secretary of the Department.