Member for Shortland Pat Conroy has invited the federal parliamentary committee inquiring into the NDIS to hold a hearing in the Hunter.
Today Mr Conroy wrote to Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS chair Kevin Andrews MP and deputy chair Senator Carol Brown to make the request.
Mr Conroy said that as one of four original NDIS trial sites, the Hunter has some of the longest-term NDIS participants in Australia who could offer valuable evidence.
“The NDIS has been life-changing for many Australians, but it has also been a source of frustration for some who have raised issues with plans being cut, the length of time taken for reviews, and the inexperience of planners,” Mr Conroy said.
“One mother was told her nine-year-old son would not need NDIS funding forever because he would ‘grow out of his autism’. Another was refused for two years home modifications to allow him to live on the same level of his home as his family.”
Mr Conroy said the Committee had noted in its recently released interim report that more time was needed to fully consider issues related to the NDIS and the impact of initiatives announced in November to improve the scheme and its sustainability.
Six hearings were held in capital cities in October and November and the committee is considering holding more in 2020.
“Our region recently benefited from a public forum in Newcastle as part of the Royal Commission into the Quality and Safety of Aged Care, and I believe we would benefit equally from an NDIS committee hearing,” Mr Conroy said.