THIS newspaper has covered the evolution of the nation’s National Disability Insurance Scheme since it was first announced several years ago.
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The trial sites for this revolutionary program – a national no-fault insurance scheme that guarantees a level of financial support to people with a disability – has been underway for some time now and there has been some misgivings in recent months that the agency charged with its operation is not yet ready to do so.
The wisdom of establishing a new agency – the National Disability Insurance Agency – at the same time as implementing a new scheme has been questioned, but while some are calling for the scheme’s start date to be delayed, others are saying the NDIS is too important to stop now.
There’s no doubting it’s something governments have to get right before it’s inflicted on some of the most vulnerable members of our community, the permanently disabled.
The privatisation of governments’ current role in supporting disabled people and their families is causing the most angst – on a number of fronts – and those who believe they will be worse off under the NDIS are starting to speak out.
The Bendemeer family The Leader spoke to is concerned a raft of experience, expertise and understanding will be lost in the privatisation process and that their two sons will suffer as a result.
They say they won’t receive the same level of service and care they receive now, and that’s a concern.
They say the system is working fine as it is, so why mess with it?
Others obviously argue the care and support they will receive under the NDIS will be an improvement on what it is now.
Every person’s needs are obviously different and this is going – and is proving to be at the four national trial sites – the greatest challenge.
This scheme will cost the nation billions a year and we must ensure this funding is being used to its greatest benefit in giving a better quality of life to disabled people and those who care for them, often at great expense to themselves – professionally, personally and financially.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and we must get it right – the first time. If that means delaying it until we can guarantee that, then so be it.
