Review Round-Up: 15 December 2022

Third edition

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A message from the co-chairs - Prof Bruce Bonyhady AM & Lisa Paul AO PSM

Welcome to our third edition of the Review Round-Up. This newsletter gives you a short update on what has been happening from the Independent NDIS Review Panel.

Since our last update we have continued to listen to many people who have told us their views on the NDIS. It has been a privilege to hear more stories and perspectives from people with disability.  

Earlier this week, we attended a meeting of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Disability Ministers in Melbourne for the Disability Reform Ministers’ Meeting. At this meeting we updated the Ministers on the NDIS Review’s work, including our plans to engage further in 2023. The meeting also discussed the need to focus the NDIS on achieving outcomes for participants and the critical importance of high quality data for improving outcomes for people with disability. While the Review has already heard from more than 1,400 Australians, we recognise that many more people will want to have their say. The outcomes from the Ministers’ meeting has been published and can be found here – Communique 13 December 2022.

Recently Lisa joined Panel member Stephen King for a meeting with Ability First Australia, one of the largest not-for-profit alliances of disability service providers and appreciated hearing about the challenges and opportunities in delivering NDIS supports. We also both attended the National Disability Services conference (more details below).

Stephen also joined Bruce at a webinar organised by Mental Health Australia on 7 December 2022. Mental Health Australia is the independent peak body representing mental health stakeholders and issues in Australia. The webinar was a great opportunity to reassure stakeholders that mental health is core to the NDIS and discuss the important linkages between disability and mental health supports so they work together.

All Panel members have been involved in recent engagements with states and territory officials, and local disability representatives and carer organisations. This has involved Dougie Herd, Kirsten Deane and Judy Brewer meeting with stakeholders in the Northern Territory; Kirsten and Stephen meeting with stakeholders in Tasmania; and Bruce joined Dougie for meetings in Victoria.  Bruce and Lisa also met with stakeholders in New South Wales. We have found these meetings very informative and rich with feedback for us to consider. We look forward to further visits next year to hear from stakeholders in Western Australia, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

For people and organisations we have not had the chance to meet with yet, we are planning more engagements in the New Year. In the meantime we encourage you to ‘Have your say’ – details for how to do this are below.

We also would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and safe festive season and all the best for 2023.

Bruce and Lisa

Co-Chairs, NDIS Review

Where are we up to?

Bruce and Lisa attended the National Disability Services (NDS) conference in Sydney on 28 November. The theme of the conference was ‘The Basics for Brilliance’, highlighting the need for a diverse, united sector. Bruce delivered the distinguished Kenneth Jenkins Oration at the conference speaking about the importance of reforming the NDIS.

Bruce spoke about the history of disability advocacy and reform, highlighting the importance of the year 1981. That year marked the United Nations’ International Year of Disabled Persons. It was also the year that the Victorian Union of Intellectually Disadvantaged Citizens (the forerunner of Reinforce) was formed. They presented a Code of Rights to the then-Minister for Social Services, Fred Chaney. Bruce acknowledged this proud history and noted that advocacy was just as important today. You can read Bruce’s full speech on our website.

Photo: A 24 cent Australian stamp marking the United Nations’ International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981.
Photo credit: Australian Human Rights Commission publication, Disability Rights: Facilitating the empowerment of people with disability, Trainers manual, 2016.

Having your say

Since we last wrote, many people have written to us sharing their experiences of the NDIS. We know many of you have already contributed to other NDIS-related reviews. Our team has already examined submissions to previous reviews so people and organisations do not have to repeat themselves.

We would really encourage you to have your say if have not already done so by visiting https://www.ndisreview.gov.au/have-your-say.

Out and About

As we previously mentioned, we have been visiting many states and territories to hear from as many people and organisations as possible. We look forward to holding sessions in South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia early next year.

These conversations provide us with the opportunity to listen to a range of people and organisations at a state and local level about how the NDIS can be improved. We have been meeting with people in-person and virtually, and we really appreciate hearing your views. At all events, we offer AUSLAN interpretation and live captioning to attendees in case they need these services.