On Monday 30th May workplace delegates from across Australia met with key stakeholders to discuss and review our campaign to make the NDIS the best it can be.
The summit had 3 guest speakers, the first was David Bowen, CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency.
Mr. Bowen spoke frankly with the group during a Q and A about pricing and workforce issues and agreed to continue to meet with our delegates as part of an ongoing relationship.
Next delegates meet with Jenny Macklin MP- Shadow Minister for Families and Payments Shadow Minister for Disability Reform. During a candid discussion delegates were able to share their experiences as workers in the industry and express some of the challenges and concerns they have about the future of the industry in regard to job security, wages and conditions. Delegates drew on their own personal experiences to provide Ms. Macklin with a picture of how some employers are operating as they prepare for the roll out of NDIS.
For the final session of the day delegates heard from Therese Sands, Co-CEO of People with Disability Australia (PWDA) - the national cross disability peak organization led by and for people with disability. Ms. Sands was extremely supportive of our campaign to make the NDIS the best it can be.
Ms. Sands remarked that any move to devalue workers in the sector, devalues the people with disability. “It says if you are working with people with disability then you don’t need the same protections as other workers”.
“The onus is on employers to look at innovative ways to provide the kind of support needed for people with disability under the NDIS” she said.
PWDA are very concerned that any moves to undermine the industrial protections for workers in the sector will increase the risk of harm to people with disability.
Delegates were heartened by Ms. Sands remarks and our shared objective to ensure quality support services under the NDIS.
In all, the 2016 NDIS summit was very successful, it has positioned our members as the frontline experts within the sector and built relationships with key stakeholders which will be vital as the sector transforms under NDIS.
Download the full bulletin below to see photos from the Summit.
ASU NDIS Campaign Bulletin - 31 May 2016