Page 3833 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 24 August 2011
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which occur every year, where the natural structural supports surrounding a person with disabilities sometimes fall apart and the primary carers choose to hand over guardianship for the person with disabilities to the government. It might be because the carer or carers are ageing and can no longer physically cope or, more often than not, a parent is incredibly stressed and can no longer handle the difficult behaviours of their child who is now a young adult.
There are many stories from people with a disability and their family or carers which express the need for having a national scheme, and there has been much discussion at the national level. However, the battle to achieve and actually implement a national scheme has some way to go and there are some major hurdles that still need to be overcome. The COAG meeting from last Friday about this matter did bring the national scheme a step closer. Mr Doszpot has already read from the communique, but I would just like to quote it again because I think it is worth while having it on the record:
COAG welcomed the public release of the Productivity Commission’s final report on Disability Care and Support and agreed on the need for major reform of disability services in Australia through a National Disability Insurance Scheme.
COAG will develop high-level principles, by the end of 2011, to guide consideration of the Productivity Commission recommendations regarding a National Disability Insurance Scheme, including for foundation reforms, funding and governance.
While we have this communique, it still indicates that we have still got some way to go and we need to have those final commitments to make sure this actually happens. COAG has agreed on the need for an NDIS and will form principles by the end of 2011 to help it consider the scheme, but, as I said, COAG has not actually agreed that the scheme will go forward. It is still in the consideration phase, which I think is significant. A more substantial step is required in that we need to see the Australian government commit funds and announce the commencement of trials. To ensure the NDIS does occur, we need continued advocacy at all levels, and this includes from members of the Legislative Assembly.
Last week when my office was preparing for debate on this motion we sent the motion to people in the disability sector, including community organisations, carers and people with disabilities themselves. The message we received was that they wanted to see the motion strengthened. They wanted the ACT Legislative Assembly to clearly state that it supported the NDIS. I agree with their sentiment and I will be moving an amendment to Mr Hargreaves’s motion, particularly a new clause (2), to make it clear that the ACT Legislative Assembly supports the move by governments around Australia to implement an NDIS.
Existing clause (2)(a) of Mr Hargreaves’s motion calls on the government to actively participate in all relevant national discussions on the NDIS and NIIS. While I agree with that clause, I believe it can be strengthened and, as such, we will be moving an amendment to make a clear statement that the ACT Legislative Assembly wants the ACT government to advocate for the NDIS.
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