NDIS: Lack of transparency, ‘traumatising’ planning process among areas for reform
The NDIS Review is looking into how to reform the scheme. Here’s what they told a Geelong town hall.
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A Geelong town hall has heard the planning and budget process of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is “traumatising” and the system lacks transparency.
The NDIS Review panel spoke at a community meeting, held in East Geelong on Wednesday.
The town hall came a week after NDIA and NDIS Commission leaders were grilled at a parliamentary inquiry in Geelong.
The NDIS Review was announced in October 2022 to investigate the design, operations and sustainability of the scheme.
Opportunities for reform will be recommended.
Moriac mum Michelle McGarrigle, who in 2016 took the NDIA to federal court over coverage of transport costs in her son’s NDIS plan, asked the panel how the review would implement change in the day-to-day operations of the scheme.
“How will the review change or influence the machinations of the agency, which have shown up to now, that they don’t follow the legislation with their policies and ignore federal decisions?” Mrs McGarrigle said.
After winning court case, and having an NDIA appeal dismissed, Ms McGarrigle said her son’s plan was again set to be slashed in 2021.
Mrs McGarrigle said she had to remind NDIA employees of the federal court’s decision, and that instances like that eroded trust in the agency.
Review co-chair Bruce Bonyhady said, in answer to Mrs McGarrigle’s question, the current system could be more transparent.
“We have principle-based legislation, then we’ve got rules, we’ve got operating guidelines, but then below that we’ve got what the CEO and the agency does through the very high level of delegation given to them,” he said.
“We are hoping, as a result of the recommendations we’re likely to make in that area, we will have a much more transparent process, and with greater clarity, much greater trust.
“Inconsistency, lack of transparency, all undermine trust... so let’s clarify these issues.”
In a speech at the event, Mr Bonyhady laid out 10 “reform directions” that would inform the review’s final report, including community-wide supports, improving participants’ experiences, access to the scheme, housing and safeguards, among others.
Panel member Dougie Herd, a quadriplegic and NDIS participant, said the review had heard people were “traumatised” by the planning and budget process.
“Anyone who’s ever seen a plan knows it’s not a plan, it’s a budget allocation with some boxes,” he said.
“Something is wrong with a status quo that turns human beings into crying wrecks.”
The review is due to hand down its recommendations for reform at the end of October.
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Originally published as NDIS: Lack of transparency, ‘traumatising’ planning process among areas for reform
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