MEDIA RELEASE: New report from Productivity Commission calls for reforms to deliver on national outcomes and inclusion for all people with disability
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) welcomes the findings released in the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Disability Agreement (NDA) and supports an NDA which has at its core the well being and needs of ‘all’ people with disability, their families and carers.
“We look forward to working with all levels of government in ensuring the voice of Queenslanders with disability are part of the planning, design, and implementation of the new National Disability Agreement planned for release in 2020” said Mr Webb, Chairperson of QDN Board of Directors. Mr Webb said, “QDN is pleased to see the recommendations by the Productivity Commission, particularly around advocacy services, community access and inclusion programs, carer service and services to people with psychosocial disability. It is important that people don’t fall through the gaps. I would like to commend the report on its focus on the role and responsibilities of all levels of Government having a focus on delivering on improved outcomes for the 4.3 million Australians with disability, and taking action to deliver on an Australia that is inclusive where people with disability are equal citizens.”
In the report, which was released on 1 February a range of recommendations were announced. These include the need for a new agreement that promotes co-operation, enhanced accountability with a new performance reporting framework and clarity around roles and responsibilities of governments. The report found that to improve the well-being and needs of ‘all’ people with disability a collaborative response from all level of governments is needed, extending well beyond the NDIS to many other service systems such as housing, transport, health, justice and education.
QDN CEO Paige Armstrong said today “QDN is pleased that the focus of the NDA extends beyond the NDIS into other systemic policy areas QDN also maintains a strong focus on. It was clear during our meeting with Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald that he was ready to listen closely to QDN’s submission recommendations, which of course were based on consultative feedback from QDN members”.
The report recommends that the National Disability Strategy (NDS) should continue to play the essential role of articulating policy actions, with these actions being explicitly linked to the goals of the National Disability Agreement.
In recognition of the significant changes in the disability policy landscape since 2008 when the agreement was first signed, a public consultation on the new NDA will start later this year.
We look forward to a new National Disability Agreement that includes strong accountability mechanisms that will make all of our rights reality and guide national disability policy.
____________________________
Contact Information
Paige Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer, 07 3315 5019, ceo@qdn.org.au