September 7, 2021
Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has replied to a petition seeking to amend legislation for the NDIS to be extended to all Australians regardless of age.
The petition is part of Spinal Life Australia’s national “Disability Doesn’t Discriminate” campaign which aims to shine a light on a decision made in 2013 to exclude the NDIS from the Age Discrimination Act.
Mr Littleproud has responded to petitioners by saying the Federal Government acknowledged “the concerns of older Australians with disability – and their families – who seek to access the care and support they need”.
“The design of the NDIS reflects the Productivity Commission’s recommendation that a person needs to have acquired their disability and requested access to the scheme before the age of 65, to become an NDIS participant,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The legislation put forward by the Gillard Government in 2012 to establish the NDIS, with bipartisan support, reflects this recommendation and is a longstanding policy.
“When established, the NDIS was designed to avoid replacing services already provided through the health or aged care systems.
“As part of the 2021-22 Budget, the Coalition Federal Government announced a $17.7 billion package of support for aged care in response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
“The work to develop the new support at home program will consider the level of support available to people in aged care, including people over 65 who acquire a disability.
“The NDIS does allow eligible people with disability who are under the age of 65 to enter the scheme and stay there as they age, or choose the aged care system once they reach age 65.”
- Related article: Petition Calls For NDIS Change
