Our absolute commitment to quality care provided Jackson with a loving and playful environment.  Daily, we provided sustainable, objective care and rehabilitation, giving Jackson optimum opportunity during his life.

Ms Patricia Scott
Commissioner, Productivity Commission
Level 2 – 15  Moore  Street
Canberra  ACT  2600

26 April 2011 

Dear Ms Scott

Submission -  Enquiry into National Disability Long-Term Care and Support of Scheme

I am in support a scheme that cares for the most disabled and catastrophically injured people in Australia. 

It seems unfair that some people because of their injury or disability receive compensation for lifetime care and support and others do not. This needs to be changed.

A solution would simply be that everybody with high care needs who are unable to care for they are supported by a Scheme that provides care for these unfortunate people. 

I was the carer for my grandson for over 12 years and 10 of those years were in litigation. Jackson was injured in a motor vehicle accident. I attach a letter sent to the Commissioner Ken Gabb expressing the unsatisfactory way of management of large compensation dated 16 July 2005 and within 5 months Jackson died aged 12 years and four months. Our community website is www.daretodo.asn.au  may be of interest.

Jackson would have been far better served with a Lifetime Care and Support Scheme where his needs were met for his lifetime. Rather his large settlement compensation was not managed well and when he died his very large estate went to his next of kin. This is not the intent of Australian  third party compensation.  

Rather than the insurers of motor vehicle accidents, workers compensation and medical negligence spending millions of dollars on defence and later compensation why not direct similar proportions of funds to Life Time Care and Support Scheme in each State and Territory?

The Lifetime Care and Support Scheme in New South Wales is funded by Insurers funds. Currently there are more funds than needed as fortunately there are less catastrophic injured motor accident victims  since 2006. 

I do not believe that one State should control the complete Scheme but rather each State manages their own with A Federal Watch Dog to contribute funds and ensure standards and ethics are met.  Points to consider
Care and rehabilitation needs of each person giving choice of where to live, this must be permitted
Sustainable Home or Community Based Care and Rehabilitation available to meet each person’s needs.
The Quantum, how much care and rehab is required for each person to them provide good quality of life

If I may I assist on one on your panels-committees I am happy to join your team. Thank you for caring.

Yours Sincerely                                                                                                 Judie Stephens OAM