9 November 2021 - meeting 5 - communique

The fifth meeting of the Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) was held on 9 November 2021. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed legislative amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act) and the Participant Service Guarantee, and the Northern Territory Disability Strategy.

The meeting was attended by the Hon Kate Worden MLA, Minister for Disabilities. Minister Worden provided an update to members on a number of local and national reforms and initivates, including:

• The Northern Territory Government awarding four parcels of land in August 2021 to enable the construction of Specialist Disability Accommodation.
• The launch of the consultation period for the Northern Territory Disability Strategy on 4 October 2021.
• The Northern Territory Government’s announcement on 25 October 2021 to fund an Northern Territory based Auslan interpreter and Auslan scholarships to grow local experts.
• The release of Australia’s Disability Strategy on International Day of People with Disability, 3 December 2021.

Ms Julie Yeend, Participants and Performance Group, Department of Social Services (DSS) presented to the DAC on the outcomes of their Australia wide consultation on the proposed legislative amendments to the NDIS Act and the Participant Service Guarantee. The Commonwealth Government released an Exposure Draft of the Bill (the Bill) for a four-week public consultation period from 9 September 2021 until 7 October 2021. Public consultation was hosted on DSS Engage and contained copies of all legislative products including the Bill, the new and amended NDIS Rules.

DSS hosted four public forums and engaged with state and territory officials, disability representative organisations, NDIS advocacy organisations and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) board members. These activities reached a total of 864 individuals and 313 submissions were received from individuals and organisations. The Bill has been referred to the Senate Community Affairs Committee which will report by 25 November 2021. The Commonwealth Government will seek formal agreement of states and territories to the NDIS Rule changes so that they can be in place when the relevant parts of the amended NDIS Act commence.

Ms Kellie Streeter, Team Leader, Seniors and Disability Rights, Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS) presented to members and ex-officios in regards to DCLS submission to DSS on the proposed NDIS Act legislative amendments and the Participant Service Guarantee. The submission touched on three key points, including collecting evidence to satisfy NDIS access, early intervention and psychosocial disability and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Ms Melanie Barker, Senior Policy Officer, Office of Disability and Ms Streeter presented on the progress of the Northern Territory Disabilty Strategy, including:

• The discussion paper and a survey for the consultation are available on the Northern Territory Government Have Your Say webpage. The Northern Territory Disability Strategy webpage provides a one stop shop of information stakeholders need to know about the development of the Strategy.
• DCLS and Disability Advocacy Service are leading face to face engagement on the Northern Territory Disability Strategy until 22 November 2021, and are holding consultations in Darwin, Katherine, Tiwi Islands, Nhulunbuy, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Amoonguna.
• DCLS and Disability Advocacy Service are also providing support to individuals and groups to complete the online submission process, or to provide a submission in an alternative format.
• Four working groups have been established to support the consultation and seek the input of the stakeholders, including people with lived experience and advocates, Northern Territory Government agencies and statutory offices, mainstream service providers and the NDIA, and specialist disability services providers.
• The Office of Disability had received seven submissions coordinated by Victoria Daly Regional Council. The Have Your Say webpage had received 521 visits and 18 submissions. An overarching theme of feedback received to date was that people need to have their immediate, basic needs met such as housing, food, employment and education before they can consider other priorities.

A key action for the DAC is to provide feedback to the Office of Disability on how they can contribute to promoting the Northern Territory Strategy, and supporting their networks to provide input to the Northern Territory Strategy.

The date for the next meeting of the DAC will be provided on this webpage.

Mr Chris Blackham-Davison
Chair, Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee