Media Item

Crackdown on motorbikes that block disability access on city footpaths

Source: The Age
Author: Jewel Topsfield
Posted October 22, 2019

Melbourne is the only Australian capital city where it is legal for motorcyclists to park on footpaths as long as they do not obstruct access. But as the city becomes more congested, obstacles on footpaths including motorcycles, bikes, A-frame signs and cafe tables, are making pedestrian crowding worse and life very difficult for people with disabilities. On Tuesday, the council will install “no stopping” signs along footpaths next to more than 50 disability parking bays in the CBD. The fine is $165.

Union welcomes announcement of 800 extra public service jobs in NDIA

Author: Mirage News
Posted October 18, 2019

This is a great win for union members and delegates who have been actively campaigning to scrap the staffing cap across the APS. The staffing cap is driving the use of labour hire worker and outsourcing arrangements and increasing workloads and pressure on staff.

Martin Hoffman appointed to lead NDIA, government to hire 800 new public servants

Source: The Mandarin
Author: Stephen Easton
Posted October 18, 2019

Martin Hoffman has been appointed chief executive of the National Disability Insurance Agency for a three-year term starting on November 4. Hoffman, who was a department head in the New South Wales public service until April this year, will take over the challenging job fresh from a short-term role guiding a program of reform in the Department of Human Services signified by its rebranding as Services Australia.

People experiencing homelessness struggling to navigate the NDIS

Source: Pro Bono News
Author: Luke Michael
Posted October 18, 2019

During a session at the Victorian Homelessness Conference, panellists from across the social sector discussed how the NDIS was catering to people with disability who were homeless or at risk.

Exclusive: 500 children forfeited to state in NDIS standoff

Source: The Saturday Paper
Author: Rick Morton
Posted October 18, 2019

For the past five years, the National Disability Insurance Agency has squabbled with state governments over who pays to support children with a profound disability. In that time, hundreds of families have been pushed to the brink. The care they were promised never came.

Avoiding ‘Othering’: How should disability policy be established with Indigenous people?

Source: Croak
Author: John Gilroy
Posted October 11, 2019

There has long been concern and evidence that the NDIS, which promised so much for people with disability, is not meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) highlighted many of the reasons why in its 2018 submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into NDIS Readiness.

Victorian Disability Advisory Council Announced

Source: Government media release
Author: Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers
Posted October 11, 2019

The Victorian Disability Advisory Council provides advice to the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan on what the Government can do to build a more inclusive Victoria and to increase opportunities for people with disability. The Victorian Disability Advisory Council members are: Brent Phillips (Chair), Colin Hiscoe, George Taleporos, Amanda Lawrie-Jones, Astrid Edwards, Caitlin Syer, Eliza Hull, Gabrielle Hall, Jax Jackie Brown, Karen Fankhauser, Martin Heng and Sholam Blustein.

Disability advocates demand NDIS changes

Source: Wauchope Gazette
Author: Finbar O'Mallon
Posted October 10, 2019

Advocates fear the National Disability Insurance Scheme risks entrenching disadvantage, with rich people able to access better levels of care. A parliamentary inquiry into the scheme has heard bureaucratic language, long waiting times and a general lack of knowledge of disabilities by government staff were creating serious problems.