Minister Mark Butler's Speech: A Mixed Response from the Disability Community

While Minister Mark Butler noted nothing about us without us in his speech at the National Press Club yesterday, the announcements made by the Minister came as a surprise to the disability community and representative organisations. This has created further uncertainty for our community.

We are heartened by the Government’s continued commitment to the NDIS, which has changed the lives of people with disability around Australia. However, we are collectively disappointed that the government chose not to engage with the disability community about their announcement.

Investment in Supports for Children

We welcome the investment in supports for children with developmental delay and autism. However, we need more information about what appears to be an ambitious timeline. It is essential to understand how yesterday's announcement fits within the broader landscape of Foundational Supports. This includes both general and targeted supports, as well as previous commitments made by the Australian, state, and territory governments.

Importance of General Foundational Supports

We want to ensure that the focus on General Foundational Supports is not lost. These vital services, such as peer support, accessible information, and self-advocacy, are key pillars of the NDIS Review findings. They are intended to be available to all people with disability across the nation, regardless of whether they are NDIS participants.

Clarity on Implementation

The scope and timeline for implementing the layered Foundational Supports recommended by the NDIS Review remain unclear. This is particularly concerning for the 4.8 million Australians with disability who are not part of the NDIS. Co-designing the “Thriving Kids" program and all reforms with people with disability and their representative organisations is integral to ensuring these supports are effective and relevant.

Constructive Partnership with Government

We look forward to working in a constructive partnership with the government to co-design a sustainable ecosystem outside the NDIS. Collaboration is key to creating a system that truly meets the needs of the community.

Assurance from Minister Butler

We value and support the assurance provided by Minister Butler on radio today. He stated that children will not be diverted or removed from the NDIS before the new system starts. This assurance is crucial. It is imperative to ensure that this new system is community-accepted, fully established, and sustainable. It must provide for specialised supports that cater to the diverse needs of children with disabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are positive aspects to the announcements made by Minister Butler, significant concerns remain. The lack of engagement with the disability community raises questions about the effectiveness of these initiatives. It is vital that the government prioritises collaboration and transparency moving forward.

Endorsed by: Australian Autism Alliance (AAA), People with Disability Australia (PWDA), Inclusion Australia (IA), First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN), National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA), Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA), Down Syndrome Australia (DSA), Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA), Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA), Physical Disability Australia (PDA)

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The phrase "nothing about us without us" appears in the article only once and not in any header.