Jeff Kennett: NDIS is a work in progress we must all back

THE NDIS comes at a huge cost but a program that allows people to live full and dignified lives is money well spent, writes Jeff Kennett.

A boy and his mother walk into their local primary school for the first day of school.

PERHAPS the most important new social initiative introduced by the federal government over the past decade or so has been the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

It recognises that people with disabilities, and their carers should be assisted by governments so that both can live as complete and dignified lives as possible.

Such a concept has long been practised in countries such as Sweden, but in Australia the majority of the burden for providing such care has fallen on families — often at the cost of a marriage or the surrendering of a normal life for those who provide the constant care for those in need.

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Former prime minister Julia Gillard at an NDIS announcement in Geelong in 2013.

When Prime Minister Julia Gillard developed the policy that became the NDIS, it was clearly an admirable idea. The NDIS has been operating for only two years, so is still in its early stages — but its funding was neither identified nor budgeted. That responsibility has fallen to subsequent governments. By the time it is fully rolled out, the cost will be about $22 billion a year. It’s a huge cost, but one a compassionate society must meet — everyone, after all, is entitled to a dignified life.

The task for NDIS administrators is enormous. Not only must they find the qualified staff to provide the services but also they must deal with the huge expectations created by politicians when the scheme was announced.

One of the biggest challenges for the NDIS is making sure the services go to those in genuine need and avoid misuse of the program.

Today, two years from its introduction, there are challenges in rolling out the NDIS around the country. Certain aspects of the administration will have to be changed as the program is developed and we learn more.

To those who might be frustrated, I say please be patient. Those in charge of the NDIS are doing their best without a model in Australia for its implementation. But once rolled out, it will be the most humane change we have witnessed in our lifetime.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the Royal Wedding. Picture: BBC.

LAST weekend many people tuned into the royal wedding. Every reader of this column will have their own views on the monarchy and those who make up the royal family.

To me the most extraordinary aspect of the event was not the young couple getting married, but Prince Philip, weeks after a hip replacement, stepping unaided from his vehicle and walking to his place in the Chapel.

Philip is 96, the Queen 92 — what a remarkable couple! Not only are they still mentally and physically able, they are still discharging their responsibilities.

Why am I in awe of them? Having met them both several times, the Queen and Prince Philip prove the health benefits of never retiring.

When addressing audiences on leadership or mental health issues I reinforce the value of waking up in the morning and making the most of the gift of life. Never take it for granted, be mentally and physically active every day and go to bed tired to ensure a good night’s sleep.

To all those who read this column and are looking forward to retirement at 55, 60 or 65, I urge you not to. I say that if you want to die early, just retire.

The Queen and Prince Philip are both still active, both alert. We are indebted to them for their work, but also the example they set.

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WE HAVE a new Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp. We wish her well because regardless of one’s view of the third tier of government, we are stuck with councils. That being the case, councils and their office bearers must discharge their responsibilities well.

The City of Melbourne’s area might be relatively small, but the activity within it is most important to those who live and work there. It is the cultural heart of our state and the fulcrum of what makes Victoria so appealing.

My government reduced the number of councils in Victoria in the 1990s from 211 to 78, but I would like to see the boundaries of the City of Melbourne increased to better reflect the buildings, activities and infrastructure of modern Melbourne.

Of course, that is not a decision for Sally Capp and her council but for the state government and I doubt that any government would have the courage to reform our municipal boundaries again.

FINALLY, we are heading out of autumn and into winter. The colours of autumn all around us are wonderful. Victoria is, as former premier Dick Hamer said, a Garden State.

We must never take our gardens for granted and we have a responsibility to do our bit in preserving and adding to this wonderful inheritance.

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People often make fun of our potential for four seasons in one day but it is also one of our greatest assets. When you move around your suburb, city or in rural areas, give thanks for this most wonderful environment. We are so fortunate to live here.

Have a good day.

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria and a former chair of beyondblue.

@jeff_kennett