Coulton’s Catch-up
27-January-2012
Written By Mark Coulton -
Every Australian Counts is the campaign for the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and I have added my support to this very important movement. The NDIS will provide insurance cover for all Australians in the event of significant disability and will revolutionise the way people with a disability, their families and carers are supported in this country.
Approximately 20% of the Australian population has a disability, which equates to roughly 4 million people with a disability and there are 2.6 million carers that provide important assistance for these people (ABS 2009). Many of these people with disabilities face significant challenges in fully participating in work, family and community and are some of the most vulnerable in our society.
Most Australians assume because Australia is an advanced and wealthy nation that adequate support is provided for people with disabilities. This is a reasonable assumption, but it is wrong. The current system of support for people with disability is broken. The support for Australians with a disability is a frayed patchwork characterised by piecemeal programs, inconsistent eligibility criteria and a lack of co‐ordination.
I recognise that people with disability, their carers and families deserve a better deal. Meeting the needs of Australians with disability should be core government business. There needs to be a new system that puts the individual at the centre and in control, and the NDIS is the best way to move forward.
The release of the Productivity Commission’s Final Report into Disability Care and Support in mid 2011 was an important step towards improving the lives of Australians with disability and their carers. The Commission has put forward a number of options for a new national arrangement for people with disability. The Productivity Commissions Final Report found that the current unmet need for support for Australians with disability is $6.5 billion – roughly equivalent to the Gillard Government’s current annual debt interest repayments after millions of dollars were wasted through mismanaged programs such as the pink batt insulation fiasco.
Providing better services to people with disabilities will be expensive, however, it is imperative for people with disabilities, their families and their carers that action is taken. Expressions of goodwill and statements of good intent are no longer good enough.
The Every Australian Counts has played an important part in encouraging every Australian to stand up and say that people with a disability, their families and carers in this country deserve better and that it’s time for change. The campaign has shown the government that there is widespread community support for change and that the time for action has come.The Every Australian Counts campaign deserves congratulations for continuing to highlight the need for a new national deal for people with disability.
For more information go to www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au