News and blogs

Breaking: Summary of the NDIS Review’s major recommendations

At long last! The Final Report of the NDIS Review has been publicly released. If you’ve clicked on this article, you probably don’t need to be told this is a big deal. But hell, let’s say it anyway, loudly for those at the back: this is a big, big deal. Some of the changes proposed … Continued

More advocacy funding to support Victorians with disability

The Victorian Government will provide $1.8 million for advocacy funding to help Victorians with disability and their families continue to access advocacy support when they need it. The investment will ensure disability support agencies under the Victorian Disability Advocacy Program continue to play a key role in creating a safer and fairer Victoria for all. … Continued

Is media scrutiny good news?

As the old saying goes, no news is good news. But, one of the benefits of the NDIS has been that it pushed issues relating to people with disabilities into the mainstream media discussion.

New appointment to NDIS Independent Advisory Council

The Government has today announced the appointment and reappointment of members of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Independent Advisory Council (IAC). Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten said he was pleased to welcome disability advocate Mr Gavin Burner to the IAC. Mr Burner’s appointment is significant as it strengthens the IAC’s representation of people … Continued

Tasmania has just four support schools. What would their closure mean for students with disabilities?

Felix Waiss doesn’t speak, but he’s learning to communicate in his own way. By pushing icons on a device, the non-verbal four-year-old is figuring out how to formulate sentences and express what he has to say. Next year, Felix will start kindergarten at Tasmania’s Northern Support School, where all staff are trained in using augmentative and alternative … Continued

Fraud Fusion Taskforce investigates $1 billion in NDIS payments in first year

The Australian Government’s commitment to stopping fraud is helping to protect the funding that supports Australians living with disability and saving the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) millions of dollars, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten MP said today. The Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) recently marked 12 months since its establishment, with data showing the significant progress … Continued

Commission welcomes new Disability Discrimination Commissioner

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the appointment of Rosemary Kayess to the role of Disability Discrimination Commissioner. “On behalf of Commissioners and staff I warmly welcome Ms Kayess to the Commission. She is a leading disability and human rights lawyer who has been extremely influential in her work in international human rights law for … Continued

Lack of DV support for women with disabilities

Women living with disabilities are almost twice as likely to experience domestic violence than those without, but most will not seek help.