15 November 2023 - meeting 11 - communique

The Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee (the Committee) met on 15 November 2023 in Darwin, with members joining from Alice Springs and Tennant Creek via video link. The Hon Ngaree Ah Kit MLA, Minister for Disabilities also joined the meeting via video link.

The Committee discussed the following:

• The Final Report and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) and the implications for the Northern Territory.
• The upcoming release of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review Report with the expectation that through the implementation of recommendations the NDIS will be easier to access and use for people who are eligible.
• Concerns regarding accessible transport options particularly in remote parts of the Territory, including bush bus accessibility and wheelchair lifts at airports so people can access aeroplanes.
• The positive and negative experiences of people with disability in both mainstream and specialist disability schools and employment.

Minister’s Update

The Minister for Disabilities congratulated committee member Amy James from Tennant Creek, and Youth Round Table member Jordan Humphreys from Alice Springs on their nominations for the Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year Award.

The Minister provided an update on the pilot project that will commence in Maningrida community to help transform the delivery of the NDIS, making sure it is culturally appropriate and community centred. The project will be a partnership with the community, the disability sector, the Northern Territory Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and aims to increase the uptake of NDIS services in remote communities.

Northern Territory Disability Strategy - Outcome 4: Inclusive Education update

The Director of Inclusion Reform, Inclusion and Engagement Services in the Department of Education presented on the Framework for Inclusion, which is one of the Department of Education’s commitments in the Northern Territory Disability Strategy Action Plan 2022 - 2032. The Framework guides and supports schools to include all students. Members provided feedback on ways to improve accessibility of education.

Northern Territory Government response to Disability Royal Commission

The Executive Director, Social Inclusion from the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities (the Department) provided an overview of key recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission. The Department will continue to engage with the Committee in forming and implementing the Northern Territory’s response to the recommendations of the final report.

NDIS Review Report

The Executive Director, Social Inclusion advised that the NDIS Review Report is expected to be released following National Cabinet in early December 2023. The Department will coordinate the Northern Territory Government’s response to the recommendations and will engage with stakeholders. The Department will consider linkages to the Disability Royal Commission and the Northern Territory Disability Strategy.

The next meeting is expected to be held in February 2024.

Mr Callum Hooley
Chair
Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee