Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott lashes out at NDIS scammers

The Australian of the Year has lashed out at those doing the wrong thing while announcing a groundbreaking new development.

Disability advocate and 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott AO has lashed out at NDIS rorters while launching a groundbreaking new disability-inclusive job website designed, delivered and led by people living with a disability.

In a press conference, Mr Alcott was questioned about the fraud uncovered in the NDIS that is under investigation by the fraud fusion taskforce.

“They can go and get stuffed,” Mr Alcott said of people taking advantage of the system.

“There are some dodgy people out there doing dodgy things, and the government has already commissioned the fusion fraud taskforce and that’s going to find people who do the wrong thing.”

The tennis great lashed out at those taking advantage of the NDIS system, warning them their selfishness could even take away the chance for someone to shower.

Dylan Alcott said those taking advantage of the NDIS could get stuffed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“If you are watching this and you are doing the wrong thing, you are literally taking away from a neurodiverse kid getting care,” Mr Alcott said.

“You are taking away someone with a high level of disability having a shower. You are not taking away us having fast cars and stuff like that.

“That is not what it's about, so remind yourself if you are doing that, ‘Hey, you know what? I'm not going to try and do that anymore’.”

It comes as, for the first time on record, Australia is experiencing more job openings than there are unemployed people to fill those positions.

However, the employment rate of people living with disabilities has remained unchanged for the past 28 years.

In Australia, there are 4.4 million people who identify as having a disability but only 2.1 million are of working age, with half actively looking for employment.

Mr Alcott said it was time to make accessibility and inclusion mainstream in employment.

Dylan Alcott has launched The Field with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The new job site, The Field, has been designed and built with accessibility and inclusivity at the forefront, from the design process all the way through to its implementation.

The Field aims to remove the accessibility barriers that are often faced by people with disabilities in traditional employment areas.

It is designed to “level the playing field in the employment exchange”.

On Wednesday, Mr Alcott spoke alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth and NDIS Minister Bill Shorten to launch the project, which has received $6.042m in funding from the Albanese government.

Dylan Alcott launches The Field with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten and Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“There are probably people with disability right here and you don't know, because not all disabilities are physical,” Mr Alcott said.

“A lot of them are invisible, and it is not up to them to have to disclose to anybody about their disability. They can be themselves, right?”

“But we want to create cultures in this country where everybody feels like they can be their authentic self when they go to work.”

The Field will benefit businesses and organisations, as it helps to broaden the diversity of workforces by providing clear pathways to potential employees with disability across all industries, roles, levels and experience.

Businesses and workplaces will be able to access a range of practical support, such as an inclusive language tool designed to assist employers to advertise disability inclusive jobs, and digital training resources to help grow understanding when it comes to inclusive practices.

It will also enable candidates to access more information and choice when applying for a job which matches their skill set, as employers have the opportunity to promote and highlight inclusive strategies and accessible features within their workplaces.

Mr Alcott said everyone deserved the right to employment. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“The Field’s accessibility features are what makes the job site unique; it’s been built by people with disability for people with disability,” Mr Alcott said.

“The Field will allow people with disability to present themselves to employers in a format they choose, with a chance to share their skills, accessibility requirements and preferences via text, video and audio options.

“A unique AI tool will match candidates with jobs based on their skills, role and accessibility preferences.

“Everyone deserves the right to employment. The Field is a groundbreaking digital job site that will open up a marketplace of talent with disability and level the playing field in the employment exchange,” Mr Alcott said.