Category: National Disability Insurance Scheme

Public Health Spending Not Sustainable, Says John Howard-Era Advisor

A former health advisor to the federal and Victorian state governments is calling for honesty on the sustainability of Australia’s public health system, warning it was impossible to “grant every wish” around funding. Healthcare reform has been one of the hot topics in the current federal election cycle, with the centre-left opposition Labor Party promising…


Labor Pledges to Bolster Staff Numbers at National Disability Service

Australia’s centre-left Labor Party is promising to increase staff numbers at the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and review the operations of the burgeoning scheme which currently services around 500,000 Australians. Bill Shorten, the shadow minister for the NDIS, announced the party’s six-point-plan to change the program, which has faced issues of waste, delayed service…


Tennis Star Dylan Alcott Becomes First Person With Disability to Win Australian of the Year

Paralympian Dylan Alcott has been named 2022 Australian of the Year, becoming the first person with a disability to win the award in its 62-year history. Last year, he became the first male tennis player in history to achieve the “golden grand slam” after winning singles titles at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the US…


Disability Support Sector “Cut to the Bones” as Staff Furloughed Due to Virus

People with disability are missing out on vital services as a large number of the sectors aid workers have been forced into COVID-19 isolation across the country. Health and Community Services Union official Róisín McGee said as many as 20 percent of carers were furloughed as they are either isolating or sick with the virus,…


National Disability Insurance Scheme Costs Ballooning Out of Control

The Australian federal and state governments will partner up within the next fortnight to develop a new financial sustainability plan for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) after the scheme’s budget increased beyond expectations. Ministers discussed the issue in a meeting on Friday and agreed to accelerate the development of an “NDIS sustainability work plan.” This…