The NDIS has been a game-changer for thousands of people in Casey living with a disability, making a positive difference in people's lives and the lives of their families, friends and carers. The NDIS supports people to live independently and to actively participate in all parts of life. Up to 10% of people in Casey have a disability.

For many people with a disability, the NDIS has empowered them to access the support they require (services, equipment, modifications to their home), enabling them to participate more fully in community, be it volunteering or paid work.

Continuous improvements and reform of the NDIS is important to ensure it is fair, accessible and financially sustainable for today and in the long term. The Minister for the NDIS committed to co-design changes to the scheme with people with disability with legislation to reform the NDIS presented to Parliament in June 2024 and passed with support from both the Labor and Liberal parties. However, several Independent MPs and NDIS participants, families, carers and NDIS service providers have expressed concerns to me about these changes.  In Casey these concerns include:

• People receive NDIS funding but they can’t spend it because of the lack of regional NDIS providers with people required to travel hours to access services.
• People are anxious to be reassured the reforms will enhance participant choice and control, not diminish it.
• The culture of the NDIA should be first and foremost one of collaboration and respect between the NDIS participant and their case worker. Cases going to the Administrative Review Tribunal should be the last-resort given the time, cost and negative impact on people, families and carers.
• Needs-based assessments should be conducted by allied health professionals or social workers with disability expertise and these assessments and statements of support should be shown to participants before they are signed.
• People are waiting for months for NDIS plan reviews even when they’re living in abusive or unsafe environments.
• The lack of consultation and engagement with both NDIS participants and local service providers about the current review by Dr Stephen Duckett into music therapy. In Casey we have a number of local music therapists who are trained, evidence-based and provide functional results for NDIS participants. This review is causing significant uncertainty for local businesses, with no new referrals being received.

The NDIS is not perfect, with the current reforms a first step in the right direction to protect and improve the NDIS, with more steps and reforms needed. If elected as the Independent MP for Casey I will:

• listen and work with the experts, participants and service providers in Casey to learn more about what's working and what's not working with the NDIS
• support people in Casey with their NDIS enquiries and concerns and will routinely make presentations to the NDIA on their behalf
• set-up a Casey NDIS and Disability advisory group composed of NDIS participants, families and service providers.