Posts by Hilary Stace
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Speaker: Australia's NDIS: Great ideas,…, in reply to Sacha,
That's weird because I'm not a subscriber and it was on the DPA Facebook page in full. It was about South Australia underestimating the number of disabled children and resourcing required so they are only about half way through the initial assessment and about 2 years behind schedule.
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Some problems in South Australia. There are probably several sides to this story and as Kelly Vincent says the mess needs to be sorted out http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/botched-sa-ndis-pilot-leaves-children-in-limbo/story-fn59nokw-1227439294030?sv=a0971ab52bef7ae59cf3e34ed13a0e1c
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#hagercase is trending on twitter as court case gets underway in Wellington today. Sample report from this morning's Herald
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As I mentioned I was very enthusiastic about the idea of the NDIS and surprised at the cynicism about it that I heard at the disability symposium I went to. I am open to other perspectives so was pleased to receive a response to this post from a very knowledgeable New Zealander who works in the disability sector in Australia and who thinks some of my claims are a wee bit unfair. The following is from an email to me responding to my dot points:
* Only 10% of disabled people are currently considered to be eligible. Eligibility criteria and assessment is very tight and age restricted to under 65 (which also means certain impairments such as those with post polio syndrome which mainly affect older people are not covered). There is a tier hierarchical system of funding.
1) There is an issue for people currently over 65 or whom acquire and impairment over 65 – but if you are a participant in the NDIS you can remain a participant after turning 65 – i.e. you stay eligible unless you would prefer the aged care support system in Australia – which you can choose. The policy argument is that people who acquire impairments over 65 have significantly different circumstances than most younger disabled people – they have often acquired some wealth etc – plus there is a superannuation and aged care system that already caters for many support needs for older people – There are plans to improve the aged care system to be more similar to the NDIS.
2) The NDIS Act is clear that it provides support for ALL people with disability – – but the ‘tier 2’ component now known as ILC has not be rolled out in the trial sites – it will begin rolling out in July 2016. The 10% you are referring to is all people who require individualised support of some form whether it be personal support, equipment or ‘early intervention’ therapy – there is an entitlement for everyone who requires individualised support which happens to be about 10% – it is expected to be about 450,000 people which is significantly more than the 330,000 people who currently receive some support – PLUS it is more support – the budget has doubled (will be more than 20 billion)!
* Disability and support are apparently not defined in the Act so decisions are largely left to the all powerful NDIA about who is eligible and what supports are needed.
3) They have taken an approach somewhat consistent with the world health classification system and the UN [which] I think is very positive. It is true that the NDIA make the judgements (under rules etc) – but they can be held to account by the administrative tribunal or in court just like the ACC as there is an entitlement to “Reasonable and Necessary” support – Also we are not aware of anyone with actual support needs who has been turned away – There were a few glitches in the first few months of some trial sites that grew legendary status – but the statistics speak for themselves.
4) To be fair it is a bit more complicated with children - especially very young children – and they are still working their way through that – Which is why it is great they are taking a leanr and build TRIAL approach in the first two years – the scheme will not start full implementation until July 2016.
* The state government of NSW agreed to give all its budget to the federal scheme so has nothing left for monitoring or evaluation or other disability provision.
5) This issue is still being worked through – the quality and safeguarding framework –along with a disability advocacy framework and research components are all still being negotiated by COAG – there will still be disability responsibilities lying within the State and Territory governments.
* Housing support is provided but not housing itself – so shortages of suitable housing cause problems (like in NZ).
6) This issue is also still being worked through – have a look at the draft housing paper which was released under the freedom of information Act/
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* There is limited success in working across sectors/silos. For example, it is still unclear how things like adaptive technology such as for children with autism who need it at home and at school, will be funded or provided.
7) True – to an extent – I think the flexibility of the scheme will enable the most sensible approach – but I predict it will be five years at least before the NDIS and related markets and systems are working how they are supposed to – I know of some really happy customers who now have the equipment they wanted for their kids through the NDIA and take it home and to school – – I recommend this progress report – http://www.ndis.gov.au/progress-report-2015 – It is a bit of propaganda – but also shows the data about how satisfied clients are so far – also propaganda is necessary to stop the Lib govt stepping back – currently there is still a lot of public support [so/as?] the government has not touched the NDIS budget.
* Remoteness and racism mean much of the Aboriginal population and other minority groups have minimal access to the scheme.
8) It has only been implemented in a couple of remote sites – and they are having BIG problems –i.e. they have approved quite a few plans –but they have not been spent – possibly market failure – a lot more work is needed here -I think they need to take a community development approach and individualised funding may not be effective – but they are trialling this - this effort underway - but yeah remoteness and racism is A HUGE challenge in Australia for some aboriginal communities.
* Advocacy and political participation which were part of the original alignment with human rights principles are contentious and not funded.
9) As noted there is a review of advocacy funding underway.
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Already received a response from Australia saying it is still very early days for the NDIS and some of my conclusions - from my Sydney informants - are unfair. Awaiting more information.
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Here is a positive story about the NDIS from the website Every Australian counts
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John Campbell made a brief return to TV last night at the end of the Crowd's Gone Wild (before going on to some Sky sport thing). He made a couple of little digs at authority http://m.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11474779
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There is also the issue of a very compliant media. Ministers refuse to talk to the media if there is any chance of a tough interview and they get away with it. I remember a time when there were regular debates between government and opposition spokespeople, and if one didn't show the other got a free go. Now interviewers seem grateful if a minister gives them a couple of minutes to answer some soft prearranged questions.
The UK election also showed how easy it is to manipulate public opinion in very elaborate and subtle ways to get the result required. Costs money but right wing parties don't seem to have a problem getting big donations.
Meanwhile those who are really struggling spend all their focus surviving day to day so aren't engaged in voting.
We really need to use our democracy better.
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Don't know but can imagine.
I hear there were also questions in parliament today. Slowly knowledge and then outrage is spreading.
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From yesterday’s Northern Advocate, a cleverly worded apology
On Thursday June 18 a story was published in the Northern Advocate, entitled “Call for Halt on Swamp Kauri Exports”.
This story mentioned that Kauri Ruakaka Limited, formerly known as Oravida, has a stockpile of swamp kauri at Ruakaka.
The story referred to Kauri Ruakaka Limited by its former name and described it as a Chinese company, when in fact Kauri Ruakaka Limited is and always has been a New Zealand registered company.
We wish to clarify that the article was not intended to give the impression that Kauri Ruakaka Limited (Oravida), Judith Collins MP and her husband have engaged in any illegal or improper conduct in respect of the collection or export of swamp kauri.
The Northern Advocate apologises if any of our readers formed an inaccurate view of the activities of Kauri Ruakaka Limited as a result of this story.
- Northern Advocate