News and Events

Proposed changes follow the death of Ann Marie Smith last year from septic shock, multiple organ failure, severe pressure sores and malnourishmentGet our free news app and our morning email briefingAdvocates fear proposed privacy changes to the national disability insurance scheme could be used against the people it’s designed to help.Disability organisations have also criticised a lack of consultation about the changes, including how information will be shared. Related: The death of Ann Marie Smith: a shocking case of neglect, or a failure of the system? Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning Continue reading...

Advocates say it is a ‘beautiful thing’ the government was forced to back down after the states and territories rejected the proposalThe Morrison government has been forced to abandon its controversial plan to introduce independent assessments to the national disability insurance scheme after it was rejected by state and territory ministers.The federal NDIS minister, Linda Reynolds, met with her counterparts on Friday to seek “in principle” agreement for sweeping changes to the scheme as revealed by Guardian Australia last weekend. Related: NDIS overhaul: a solution to a $60bn cost blowout or an attack on the scheme’s soul? Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning Related: NDIS independent assessments should not proceed in current form, Coalition’s own advisory council says Continue reading...

The federal NDIS minister, Linda Reynolds, will meet with states on Friday to try to convince them of the need for massive changes in the disability scheme, which she says are needed to ensure its sustainabilityDownload the free Guardian app; get our morning email briefingWhen the National Disability Insurance Scheme began, it allowed Carl Thompson to finally move out of home and into his own place.He says the move was only possible because his funding had increased to about 10 times what he received under the previous state-run system. Related: Support classified as ‘ordinary living expenses’ would be banned in NDIS overhaul They’re all talking about the cost of everything. And they haven’t actually talked about the net benefitSign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning Related: I love the NDIS but fear it is now an ideological plaything for politicians | Lisa Bryant Continue reading...

Council says even if changes are made it may not be enough to secure support for the proposalThe Morrison government’s own independent advisory body on the National Disability Insurance Scheme has said a contentious plan to introduce independent assessments shouldn’t go ahead in its “current form”.In response to the Independent Advisory Council advice published on Wednesday, the National Disability Insurance Agency vowed to modify the proposal, which is set to be debated at a high-stakes meeting between federal, state and territory ministers later this week. Related: Support classified as ‘ordinary living expenses’ would be banned in NDIS overhaul Related: Linda Reynolds apologises after NDIS sends woman’s private details to abusive ex-­partner Continue reading...

Minister says controversial plan to introduce compulsory independent assessments faces an uphill battle to pass SenateLinda Reynolds has conceded the government currently does not have parliamentary support for its controversial plan to introduce independent assessments to the national disability insurance scheme.Under a government plan to make the scheme fairer and more financially sustainable, all new NDIS applicants and 430,000 current participants would undergo a free but mandatory assessment with a government-contracted allied health professional rather than provide evidence from their own treating doctors and specialists. Related: Disability discrimination commissioner says his NDIS independent assessment ‘unsatisfactory’ Related: Linda Reynolds says NDIS is too reliant on ‘natural empathy’ of public servants Continue reading...

Nine-year-old Eliza Tape took part in a trial of the controversial disability assessment scheme that has left her family worriedA nine-year-old girl who sometimes uses a wheelchair was described as not having mobility concerns in a report prepared for the national disability insurance scheme trial of independent assessments.As debate continues about the controversial proposal, Sue Tape, whose nine-year-old daughter, Eliza, took part in an ongoing trial of the assessments in January, told Guardian Australia the family had agreed to be involved out of “curiosity” but they were unsatisfied with the process. Related: ‘Costs are going up’: Linda Reynolds warns of hard discussions on NDIS funding Related: I’m the NDIS. But please call me Denise | First Dog on the Moon Continue reading...

Exclusive: Internal documents obtained by the Guardian show secretive taskforce also aims to slow spending via ‘targeted review’ of participant plansThe agency that runs the national disability insurance scheme is seeking to increase the number of people that “exit” the scheme and reduce overall spending on funding packages through a “targeted review of existing participant plans”, internal documents show.Leaked documents last month revealed the agency had set up a Sustainability Action Taskforce (SAT) with the aim of slowing spending on participant plans and growth in participant numbers. Related: NDIS cost-cutting taskforce told to reduce growth in participants and spending The goal of the so-called Sustainability Action Taskforce is to stop disabled people getting on and kicking off people who are already on Related: ‘Costs are going up’: Linda Reynolds warns of hard discussions on NDIS funding Continue reading...