Page 1452 - Week 04 - Thursday, 4 April 2019
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(1) Did the ACT Government make a submission to the Productivity Commission Review into the National Disability Agreement (NDA).
(2) What is the ACT Government’s response to the Commission’s findings in respect of the lack of clarity around responsibility for ongoing funding for disability advocacy organisations.
(3) Is the response a public document; if so, can the Minister provide a copy.
(4) If the ACT has not yet responded, when will a response be provided and when will that response be made public.
(5) When are negotiations for a new NDA likely to commence.
Ms Stephen-Smith: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The ACT Government did not make a formal written submission to the Productivity Commission, but participated in consultations during the review of the National Disability Agreement. Table A.2 on page 186 of the report notes that the ACT Government participated in consultations, while Table A.3 on pages 188-89 notes that the ACT Office for Disability participated in two Roundtables held by the Productivity Commission in Canberra during September 2018.
(2) The finding of the Productivity Commission review of the National Disability Agreement (NDA) in relation to disability advocacy funding is unsurprising and reflects the current arrangements, under which individual advocacy is funded by both the Commonwealth and the states and territories.
The ACT Government has recognised that, while the NDIS has provided greater support for many Canberrans with disability, it has also increased the need for independent individual advocacy as Canberrans learn to negotiate the new service system.
The ACT Government’s recognition of the importance of advocacy was demonstrated by the investment of $400,000 over two years in the 2018-19 Budget. This is shared between two local organisations: ACT Disability Aged & Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS); and Advocacy for Inclusion.
(3) The ACT Government’s response to the specific issue identified in question 2 is outlined above. In relation to responding to the report as a whole, it is not usual practice for states or territories to individually respond to Productivity Commission reports. In this case, it is expected that the Productivity Commission’s findings and recommendations will be discussed by the Disability Reform Council in the context of work currently underway on a refresh or replacement of the National Disability Strategy (see below). This reflects a necessary change in focus of any new NDA, given that the current NDA is largely centred on disability services that have transitioned or are transitioning to the NDIS.
(4) See above.
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