NDIS committee releases annual report

THE latest report into the implementation and performance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme has highlighted three important themes, not only from the past 12 months but over the scheme’s first decade.

Last month, the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (JSC NDIS) tabled a General Issues report as its first annual report.

During this parliamentary term, the committee has received more 250 submissions and held 13 public hearings across Australia.

This report also marked 10 years since the establishment of the first NDIS committee in 2013.

Since its establishment, the JSC NDIS has conducted several inquiries into key aspects of the NDIS alongside the scheme’s implementation.

In this report, the committee reviewed its work over 10 years, and identified three themes relating to the NDIS common to this inquiry and previous inquiries:

• Choice and control, to help people with disability in the pursuit of their goals and the planning and delivery of their support
• Co-design, the principle that people with disability should be involved in decision-making processes that affect them, and
• Sustainability, as an essential part of ensuring the longevity of the NDIS and a requirement under the NDIS Act.

The General Issues report also draws on the findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and the independent NDIS Review.

Chair of the JSC NDIS, Corangamite federal member Libby Coker, acknowledged the 10-year anniversary of the committee, and recognised the work and commitment of present and former committee members, including those who had served on the committee since its inception in 2013.

She also noted the significant contribution of submitters and witnesses to the committee’s current and former inquiries

“The committee would like to highlight the considerable efforts of NDIS participants, their families, carers and all members of the disability sector who have provided evidence to this and other committee inquiries over the past decade,” Ms Coker said.

“The views, experiences and concerns of participants have informed and shaped the committee’s work and recommendations over that time and have contributed to a significant body of evidence regarding the implementation of the NDIS.

“The committee thanks them for their dedication to improving the NDIS.”