Monique Ryan (Kooyong, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Many constituents of Kooyong have contacted my office to convey their distress regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme. One example is that of Fraser Hill, a 12-year-old boy from Kooyong affected by autism, ADHD and anxiety. He's violent, and he self-harms. Until recently, his parents could access only six hours of support a week. Many families describe difficulty regarding lack of transparency around criteria for funding, inexperience of case workers and the very significant documentation required for NDIS applications. And adults, such as Louisa Di Pietro, a 52-year-old woman with a lifelong genetic condition and multiple comorbidities related to that disorder and its treatment, report frustration with the lack of understanding of their medical conditions, the need for repeated assessment of lifelong and often progressive disability and the appeals process. These issues are worse for those with limited English and those who struggle to deal with the complexities of our public service system.

I wish to place on record the challenges faced by many families in engaging with the NDIS and request that the Albanese government consult widely with the community and with medical professionals engaged in the care of individuals needing disability support to improve and streamline these processes.