Page 2091 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 6 June 2018
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I would like to acknowledge the activism and advocacy of NDIS participants, carers, families, service providers and representative organisations in raising significant issues and concerns with both the ACT government and through the Standing Committee on Health, Ageing and Community Services inquiry into the implementation, performance and governance of the NDIS in the ACT.
While the Office for Disability within the Community Services Directorate continues to work closely with the National Disability Insurance Agency when issues arise, the government knows more needs to be done. This transition to an entirely new service model is complex. We are committed to ensuring that no-one seeking support gets left behind. That is why we will deliver $1.8 million for an integrated service response in this budget as we continue to support the transition to the NDIS. This includes $1.1Â million in 2018-19 to purchase necessary supports for people with disability who have high and complex support needs that are not being fully met by the NDIS.
The measure will also fund coordination staff within the Office for Disability to work with the NDIA and the mainstream services to ensure that people with complex support needs receive a coordinated service response. The integrated service response program will monitor service gaps and issues arising from the implementation of the NDIS, and will work with the NDIA and across the ACT government to address these issues.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, what else is the government doing to support people experiencing difficulty in navigating the NDIS and engaging with the NDIA?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Pettersson for his supplementary. It is certainly the case that the ACT government works closely with the NDIA on the implementation of the scheme in the ACT. We also collaborate with the commonwealth, other states and the Northern Territory on ensuring the successful national rollout through the Disability Reform Council and its officials groups.
We know there have been many challenges experienced by participants and we continue to advocate and raise these issues with the NDIA and directly with the commonwealth ministers. The NDIA has responded to the challenges participants have faced in planning and engaging with the NDIS with the development of a new participant pathway which is currently being piloted in Victoria. This pilot is testing administrative improvements to streamline processes and enable a more collaborative planning experience.
It is fair to say, however, as I indicated in my evidence to the Assembly committee inquiry into the implementation, performance and governance of the NDIS in the ACT, that all jurisdictions have expressed a strong desire to see these changes happen—and sooner rather than later.
The NDIA has also recognised that some participant groups require a more tailored pathway to take into account their particular contexts. The ACT government has expressed a strong interest in being involved in the development and delivery of the tailored pathway for psychosocial disability in the ACT. As a jurisdiction we are
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