Productivity Commission’s Public Inquiry into a long-term disability care and support scheme

Submission from
•	Campbelltown City Council
•	Campbelltown Accessibility Advisory Committee
The City of Campbelltown AAC (Accessibility Advisory Committee) is pleased to be able to provide an additional response to the Productivity Commission on this very important issue.

The AAC includes representatives of the community with a disability, representatives from peak bodies in South Australia representing the interests of persons with a disability and Council Elected Members.  The AAC is very committed to social inclusion principles and ensuring the Campbelltown Community is accessible and inclusive for all and where everyone has a sense of belonging and value.  

NDIS
The AAC supports the direction of the NDIS particularly the universal approach for all Australians, long term support and care regardless of age and how the disability was acquired and the establishment of an equitable assessment process.

NIIS
The AAC congratulates the Commission on recommending a no fault insurance scheme ensuring that a person can access long term support and care.  
However, as a local government section 41committee the AAC is concerned that local government is being recommended to collect the NIIS levy via the rates system and believes alternative funding streams need to be sought either through Federal or State tax systems.  The AAC supports the SA Local Government Association’s position on this issue in not supporting this recommendation.

The following principles were included in the first submission to the Productivity Commission and the AAC has provided a response based on the draft report.

1st Principle
People who are under pension age, no matter how a person has acquired an injury, would be eligible to receive assistance under the National Insurance Scheme.
The AAC acknowledges and appreciates how the draft report supports this principle by providing disability care and support for people below pension age regardless of how they acquired the disability as this is a far more socially just and inclusive system than is currently in place.

2nd Principle
The responsibilities of various partners are defined e.g. person with a disability, their carer, government agencies (federal, state and local), non-government sector agencies
The AAC identifies a clear need to further clarify the responsibilities of all parties primarily the role of local government using appropriate flowcharts to visually explain this role.  The AAC believes that the Productivity Commission needs to recognise the important, and significant role, that local government has in building inclusive communities through:
•	providing accessible buildings and facilities
•	planning and planning approvals for inclusive communities
•	advocating for local services
•	planning for workforce diversity to explore employment opportunities for people with disabilities and flexible work conditions for carers
•	building the capacity of mainstream organisations within the local government area to be inclusive and welcoming of people with disabilities
•	Increasing the community’s understanding about people with a disability

3rd Principle
There should be a strong education and information awareness program that is based on the model of inclusion support used in childcare centres. 
And 
4th Principle
The Commission should investigate incentives for employers to employ persons with a disability within the organisation

The AAC supports the direction and intent of the NDIS Tier 1 approach focusing on education and awareness, but believes that further information about the content and model of service delivery is needed.  The AAC supports the need for research and the use of evidence-based initiatives to ensure that outcomes are achieved.

The AAC supports the critical need for education about disability in the broader community and also recommends targeted programs for employers, teachers, youth service providers, sport and recreation programs and other community programs providing services. 
 
The AAC focused on employer education as being critical to social inclusion as people with disabilities experience disadvantage and discrimination and are often excluded from economic participation in Australia.  Employer education is also about employer’s providing flexible and supportive work environments for carers, recognising that carers have unique responsibilities and special circumstances.  AAC seeks further information about how the NDIS and DEN (Disability Employment Network) will interface to ensure positive employment outcomes.  

5th Principle
When a need is established, the consumer should be able to go to an organisation of their choice, to receive assistance (i.e. managing risks, renewal and replacement of equipment)
The AAC acknowledges that this principle recommended by the AAC is strongly featured within the NDIS and believes that a consumer centred model will be able to meet the needs of the consumer.  The AAC recommends that consumer protection is also needed to regulate the system to ensure equity and efficiency of service provision and ensure the consumer is not further disadvantaged.  The AAC also supports research into consumer centred models to ensure we deliver an evidence-based program in Australia.

6th Principle
There should be a good planning system for community care to provide succession planning for ageing carers.
And 
7th Principle
Carers should be able to receive regular non-caring (e.g. respite) time which is equivalent to a weekend.
The AAC would like more detail about the support for ageing carers and identifies the significant concerns for carers including health, succession planning (who will care for their person when they are no longer able to?), appropriate housing, long term support and care and access to equitable respite.  The AAC recognises that ageing carers is being addressed with the Productivity Commission report into Caring for Older Australians.  

8th Principle
There should be an optional swipe card which contains all information about a consumer in order to access services without completing paperwork.
The AAC is extremely supportive of the national database system to ensure that information about a person moves with them regardless of their location.  The AAC is pleased that this system should reduce the administrative burden experienced by individuals and families.