Greens and disability groups criticise federal government gag on NDIS talks
Disability organisations and advocacy groups are disturbed by a federal government gag on upcoming NDIS announcements, with the Greens warning “behind closed doors” negotiations were “serving politicians” and not the community.
The Albanese government has pledged to work meaningfully with disability representative and carer organisations as it readies its plans to respond to the landmark NDIS review released in December.
Guardian Australia understands a major announcement relating to the scheme’s future will be made on Wednesday but groups consulted on the proposal have been sworn to secrecy.
A group of more than two dozen disability representatives have signed the confidentiality agreements in exchange for a seat at the table as the government takes its first steps responding to the NDIS review.
One representative, who spoke to Guardian Australia under the condition of anonymity, said the process had been “extremely frustrating” and not in the spirit of co-design as the Labor government had repeatedly promised.
The NDIS minister, Bill Shorten, has said people with disabilities on the scheme needed to be at the centre of any changes that directly affect them, promising co-design with the community was a focus.
Guardian Australia has contacted Shorten’s office for a response.
An advocate in the disability sector, who was not party to this briefing, said the practice acted to constrain them in their work while also controlling who was in the room, and was becoming increasingly common across all levels of government.
“The democratic process works when stakeholders have access to the process and are able to provide feedback freely and without fear of consequence,” the advocate said.
“If you have the confidence of your convictions to propose changes to legislation, presumably to make it better, have the courage to share that with critical friends who might have thought of things that you haven’t and then you can avoid unintended consequences and legal challenges down the track.”
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