Ann Sudmalis (Gilmore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Minister, we have so much good news to share about the rollout of the NDIS. But sometimes we forget the good news and are overtaken by the need to resolve the complex cases that take a little time to stitch together a good delivery of services. We know the National Disability Insurance Scheme is a world-first scheme to provide support to people with a disability. It will change the way people with a disability, their families and disability providers work together. In fact, it is highly envied by other nations, even in developed nations with healthy economies.

Gilmore is a region where part of the electorate was introduced to the scheme in 2016, and the other part only began to transition in 2017. Initially, I have to say, there were reservations with this belated rollout schedule and, in addition, many of my parents of children with a disability and those adults established already within the state system were equally concerned. However, it has been in some ways a blessing, as we've learned a great deal in the process. People, in general, are more aware and compassionate about the needs of those with a disability, and that can only be a good thing.

Delivering this groundbreaking reform to improve outcomes for Australians with significant disabilities and permanent disabilities will inevitably involve challenges. The scale of the rollout is huge. It's a bigger nation-building project than the Snowy River hydro scheme and the Defence investment in our new shipbuilding program. Clearly, the NDIS is improving the wellbeing of people with a disability. The insurance approach allows pressures on the scheme to be identified early and to have strategies to respond to these pressures. The specific strategies to address these pressures include: the introduction of the Early Childhood Early Intervention gateway, which aims to support children within the mainstream services; the introduction of typical support packages to establish support for participants with specific characteristics; increased risk based quality assurance at access and plan approval; increased staff training; and the redesign of the participant pathway to provide a stronger focus on participant outcomes and goals and sustainability.

Currently, the best estimate of the longer term cost of a well-managed NDIS is $22 billion a year at full scheme, which we are able to fund through our revenue streams. There have been several positive stories with NDIS, particularly when the minister and staff can assist in this process. Sometimes it can be difficult for families. My office was assisted to help Robin Robertson and her two-year-old son Jack in transitioning from the care of state Helping Children with Autism to the NDIS. Robin said, 'The vision I have for my son Jack is that he will be able to fully participate in life and have successful relationships.' And further: 'At two years and nine months, Jack has a crucial window of learning ahead of him. The importance of building new pathways in his brain over the next few years will determine his ability to successfully manage in the world as an adult.'

Lynne Walker of Nowra is another constituent that we have assisted. Lynne's son Gavin was automatically eligible for the NDIS, but her other son Damon was not. Both were diagnosed with autism from a young age and received the same treatment previously. We were able to resolve this, and Damon was successful in receiving an NDIS package.

In December 2017, Robyn Fitzgerald submitted a review of her son Brad. Brad's package was nearly one-third of the funding he was receiving prior to the NDIS. He'd already depleted his funding despite halving the hours of care he receives. This matter was referred to the NDIS by our office, and we received the following:

Robyn was called by the NDIA on Friday. She asked for a phone conversation with someone who could help her explaining what was needed. Robyn had that phone conversation today at interchange with a staff member … She received a phone call on the way home letting her know that the plan would be emailed to her tomorrow and would begin now for a period of 12 months.

Finally, I received this letter from Fiona Stewart of Milton, after helping with her son, Robert:

Dear Mrs Sudmalis,

I'm writing to thank you for your assistance in resolving a long running delay in the progress on my son, Robert's NDIS eligibility … With the help of the team in the minister's office Robert came out of the process feeling that he'd had the chance to express himself well and discuss his support need in a positive environment. We have now received his plan and are very satisfied that it will meet his medium-term needs while he is able to remain in our home. We have since commenced dialogue with local service providers regarding independent living options.

Minister, can you detail and describe the overall success of the NDIS rollout as it is happening all over Australia, without specific reference to the problems which are of course incurred when there's such a big rollout program? They need to be put together, and we need to make sure that we recognise the good whilst we also address the ones that are causing grief for families.

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