Page 2409 - Week 08 - Thursday, 5 August 2021
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At its centre, the scheme was meant to uphold the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities from 2006. As with the introduction of any national reform, there have been significant achievements and milestones, and significant challenges along the way. However, the ACT has a proud tradition of raising, escalating and advocating for improvements and the creation of partnerships in coming to a solution that ensures that the scheme delivers on its promise. I thank the ACT’s strong community of disability activists, who have been a key part of this journey.
Here in the ACT we know how important it is that we continue to be motivated to ensure that we collectively shape pathways and supports for Canberrans to fully participate in all aspects of life. Since the decision by the former minister with responsibility for the NDIS, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, in 2020 to introduce the previous proposal of mandatory independent assessments, we have heard firsthand the significant and collective concerns of people with disability and the sector. The approach put forward by the NDIA, I believe, was one of the most profound changes and threats to the NDIS since the scheme was introduced.
The commonwealth’s handling of their proposal to introduce mandatory independent assessments has resulted in an erosion of trust, and fear and significant concerns from people with disability and the sector due to their lack of transparency, consultation and meaningful opportunities for co-design. This was also noted by the NDIS Independent Advisory Council, which noted in their report that was presented to disability ministers that people with disability had lost trust in the NDIA. Trust is one of the most valuable things we have in this world and, once it is lost, it costs a lot to rebuild. A true co-design process may go some way to rebuilding the trust and confidence of people with disability.
The joint standing committee’s inquiry into independent assessments under the NDIS presented a vital opportunity for everyone to raise collective concerns regarding the commonwealth’s previous proposed model of mandatory independent assessments. The impact of the evidence presented to the joint standing committee cannot be underestimated. Several ACT individuals and organisations also contributed to this process, including National Disability Services, Advocacy for Inclusion, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT, ADACAS, Carers ACT, and Mr Dougie Herd on behalf of the Disability Reference Group. On 20 May 2021, along with the former chair of the Disability Reference Group, I provided evidence at the hearing for the inquiry. I would particularly like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution and compelling evidence of Mr Dougie Herd, who demonstrated real leadership in that room.
On 9 July 2021 a disability reform ministers meeting was held, which allowed members to have a focused discussion on scheme sustainability, NDIS legislative reform and independent assessments. Although the deliberations of the meeting are confidential, I, along with many people in the disability community, was ecstatic when the commonwealth announced in the disability reform ministers communique from that meeting that ministers agreed that independent assessments would not proceed. Ministers agreed to work in partnership with those with lived experience of disability through the Independent Advisory Council and disability representatives on
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