Australian Greens' Additional Comments

1.1The Australian Greens acknowledge the significant work undertaken by the Joint Standing Committee into the NDIS across its 10-year tenure. We thank, with the deepest respect, the disabled community who have added an incredible amount of value to the committee's work over the 10 years. Your knowledge and expertise of the NDIS and how it can work better is unparalleled. Thank you for consistently showing up to inform the Committee.

1.2In reflection of what we've heard as a Committee over the ten years, there are two key points that continue to emerge that still need to be genuinely addressed.

Co-design

Addressing paragraphs 4.7 to 4.12:

1.3Participants should always lead processes of co-design rather than only be 'consultants' within it. Co-design should be implemented at all stages of policy development, from the definition of the problem, through the design phases, to the implementation of the solution. Evidence to the committee over ten years indicates that harnessing the lived experience of NDIS participants, including their detailed knowledge of how the scheme operates in reality, is essential for the effectiveness of the scheme.

1.4Genuine co-design engages comprehensively with participants to define problems and design solutions. In instances where the NDIS has perpetuated the exclusion of participants from co-design, there has been policy failure that resulted in additional cost to the scheme and harm to participants, their nominees and families. The Committee has heard this time and time again and has described in previous reports the problems that have arisen from deficiencies in co-design.

1.5Furthermore, advisory bodies can play a useful role, however, they must be empowered to give frank, fearless and independent advice during the problem identification and solution phases of the co-design process. These advisory bodies must not be undermined or ignored in the policy making process, and should be able to report openly when their advice has not been incorporated into decision making.

Financial impacts of the scheme - under 'Sustainability'

Addressing paragraph 6.21:

1.6Any research on the cost and benefits of the NDIS should identify the negative impacts which would result from funding cuts to the scheme. The NDIS Independent Review highlighted the importance of comprehensive research to determine the positive economic impacts and flow-on effects of the NDIS. Such research would also identify negative impacts resulting from funding cuts to the scheme. It should not just report on the numbers, but also the qualitative data highlighting people's lived experience of how the scheme has impacted their lives.

Final comments

1.7In conclusion, the Committee has made valuable recommendations throughout its 20 inquiries over the last ten years. Encouragingly, many of these have been taken up by the NDIS, however this report and these additional comments serve to highlight the work still to be done to ensure a fair and equitable scheme.

1.8The Australian Greens further sincerely thank the Committee Secretariat for their vital role in enabling the work of the Committee, along with the broader stakeholders and organisations who have input into the Committee's work over the last ten years.

Senator Jordon Steele-John

Member