Wednesday, May 01, 2013 10:10:12 AM
Australia - National Disability Insurance Scheme has become political football
by: Steven Scott
From: The Courier-Mail
May 02, 2013 12:00AM
Trudi Ayken and son Marcus, who has Cerebral Palsy, at home at Salisbury, on Brisbane's south. Ms
Ayken says the NDIS would give her life more certainty. PIC: Glenn Barnes Source: The Courier-Mail
THE National Disability Insurance Scheme, which both sides of politics claim to support, has become a political football.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard turned desperately needed help for the disabled into a political stoush with plans to increase the Medicare levy to help pay for it.
Within hours yesterday she shifted to two new positions on how to get the necessary legislation through parliament.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott will today outline his own plans to pay for the scheme, but he branded Ms Gillard's announcement of a tax rise "chaotic".
The scheme is meant to eventually provide lifelong support for 410,000 people with disabilities.
Ms Gillard yesterday said she would seek a mandate from voters for her plan to increase the Medicare levy from 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent from July 2014.
But after Mr Abbott urged her to put the plan to parliament, Ms Gillard said she was willing to introduce legislation before the September 14 election only if the opposition guaranteed support.
"If the Leader of the Opposition is unable to answer the question, what he believes in, on this matter, or wants to oppose this increase to the Medicare levy, then I will take it to the Australian people in September," Ms Gillard said.
Mr Abbott said he was concerned the Medicare levy increase would only pay for part of it.
"If you have only got half the funding, it stands to reason that you're only going to get half the scheme," Mr Abbott said.
"We want it to happen, we want it to happen in this term of parliament."
Mr Abbott has not confirmed whether he would support the increased levy.
But Opposition Treasury spokesman Joe Hockey earlier said the tax rise would "hit every household budget".
EDITORIAL: Check out devil in NDIS detail .. [ link operative, no URL?? .. first time for me ]
Under the proposal, which was previously ruled out by Ms Gillard, taxpayers would pay an extra 0.5 per cent Medicare levy to set up a fund to help pay for the disability insurance scheme.
This would cost about $350 a year for people who earn $75,000.
The tax increase would raise about $3.3 billion a year and $20.4 billion by 2018-19 when the disability scheme is meant to be fully operational.
The tax would cover only part of the cost of the insurance scheme, which is likely to be $8 billion a year and rise to $15 billion by the end of the decade.
But the government says this compares with the Medicare levy, which currently covers about half of federal spending on health.
State governments have been offered a quarter of the money to cover their costs over the next decade.
Ms Gillard won backing from Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, who had previously called for a levy and complained the state could not afford the scheme.
"We need to be grown up about this. Australians have said that they want this scheme, well it has to be paid for somehow," he said.
"If you're going to do something like that you have to either find new money - a tax or a levy and savings - or you have to do a combination."
Queensland is now almost certain to take part in the scheme and Mr Newman said the state may host some trial sites.
But West Australian Premier Colin Barnett attacked the proposal and said it was part of a federal take over of disability support.
People with Disability Australia spokesman Craig Wallace said the levy would take the scheme out of annual Budget debates.
"It makes it perpetual and actually means there's a secure underpinning of the scheme," he said.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/national-disability-insurance-scheme-has-become-political-football/story-e6freoof-1226633415204
======
Disabled sex
======
Medicare levy boost to pay for disability insurance scheme
1 May 2013, 11.17am AEST
http://theconversation.com/medicare-levy-boost-to-pay-for-disability-insurance-scheme-13861
====== .. this one from Murdoch press ..
Government announces National Disability Insurance Scheme guidelines
by: JOE KELLY
From: The Australian
March 06, 2013 12:00AM
The federal government is set to part fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme by requiring
those whose disability is acquired through an injury to sue for compensation. Source: HWT Image Library
THE GOVERNMENT has released a series of draft ``rules'' informing people how to access
the National Disability Insurance Scheme and what level of support can be provided to them.
The rules, which also set out how the government can deliver assistance, are open to public comment until March 23 and will be readjusted as required following the launch of the program in five sites across NSW, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and Tasmania.
The rules establish guidelines on how to determine who is best positioned to make decisions on behalf of children with disabilities, who has parental responsibility and when children are capable of making decisions for themselves.
The determination of a "nominee'' to act on behalf of those with a disability is also set out in the draft criteria
Rules governing how people with disabilities can participate in the launch of the NDIS, starting on July 1, are also established provided that potential beneficiaries meet the age, residence and disability requirements.
The age requirement will be met if the applicant was aged below 65 years when submitting an access request, although more stringent tests will apply in South Australia and Tasmania.
The residence requirements require the applicant to hold Australian citizenship or a permanent visa and live within the areas designated by each state and territory for the launch. The rules state that if a person stops meeting the residence requirements, their status as a participant in the launch can be revoked.
An individual meets the relevant disability requirements if their impairment is likely to be permanent, results in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake basic daily activities and obtain work.
The rules clarify that participants in the launch will have individual plans, setting out the various supports that can be funded for them.
Unless their plans are managed directly with the NDIS Launch Transition Agency, there are no restrictions on who can provide the relevant assistance.
However, to become a ``registered support provider'' applications must be submitted to the agency containing an Australian Business Number, account details and a declaration of compliance with occupational health and safety laws.
The applicant must also demonstrate they possess the qualifications necessary to provide the support required and the necessary experience. They must inform the agency if they receive complaints, become insolvent or subject to an adverse action.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/government-announces-national-disability-insurance-scheme-guidelines/story-fn59niix-1226591125735
======
National Disability Insurance Scheme
Budget Review 2012–13 Index
Luke Buckmaster
The Government has committed $1.0 billion over four years for the first stage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), to be established in up to four locations from 2013–14. The locations will be determined through negotiations between the Australian Government and the states and territories. In its first year, the NDIS will provide care and support for up to 10 000 people with significant and permanent disability. This will increase to 20 000 people from 2014–15.[1]
What is the NDIS?
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview201213/NDIS
by: Steven Scott
From: The Courier-Mail
May 02, 2013 12:00AM
Trudi Ayken and son Marcus, who has Cerebral Palsy, at home at Salisbury, on Brisbane's south. Ms
Ayken says the NDIS would give her life more certainty. PIC: Glenn Barnes Source: The Courier-Mail
THE National Disability Insurance Scheme, which both sides of politics claim to support, has become a political football.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard turned desperately needed help for the disabled into a political stoush with plans to increase the Medicare levy to help pay for it.
Within hours yesterday she shifted to two new positions on how to get the necessary legislation through parliament.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott will today outline his own plans to pay for the scheme, but he branded Ms Gillard's announcement of a tax rise "chaotic".
The scheme is meant to eventually provide lifelong support for 410,000 people with disabilities.
Ms Gillard yesterday said she would seek a mandate from voters for her plan to increase the Medicare levy from 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent from July 2014.
But after Mr Abbott urged her to put the plan to parliament, Ms Gillard said she was willing to introduce legislation before the September 14 election only if the opposition guaranteed support.
"If the Leader of the Opposition is unable to answer the question, what he believes in, on this matter, or wants to oppose this increase to the Medicare levy, then I will take it to the Australian people in September," Ms Gillard said.
Mr Abbott said he was concerned the Medicare levy increase would only pay for part of it.
"If you have only got half the funding, it stands to reason that you're only going to get half the scheme," Mr Abbott said.
"We want it to happen, we want it to happen in this term of parliament."
Mr Abbott has not confirmed whether he would support the increased levy.
But Opposition Treasury spokesman Joe Hockey earlier said the tax rise would "hit every household budget".
EDITORIAL: Check out devil in NDIS detail .. [ link operative, no URL?? .. first time for me ]
Under the proposal, which was previously ruled out by Ms Gillard, taxpayers would pay an extra 0.5 per cent Medicare levy to set up a fund to help pay for the disability insurance scheme.
This would cost about $350 a year for people who earn $75,000.
The tax increase would raise about $3.3 billion a year and $20.4 billion by 2018-19 when the disability scheme is meant to be fully operational.
The tax would cover only part of the cost of the insurance scheme, which is likely to be $8 billion a year and rise to $15 billion by the end of the decade.
But the government says this compares with the Medicare levy, which currently covers about half of federal spending on health.
State governments have been offered a quarter of the money to cover their costs over the next decade.
Ms Gillard won backing from Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, who had previously called for a levy and complained the state could not afford the scheme.
"We need to be grown up about this. Australians have said that they want this scheme, well it has to be paid for somehow," he said.
"If you're going to do something like that you have to either find new money - a tax or a levy and savings - or you have to do a combination."
Queensland is now almost certain to take part in the scheme and Mr Newman said the state may host some trial sites.
But West Australian Premier Colin Barnett attacked the proposal and said it was part of a federal take over of disability support.
People with Disability Australia spokesman Craig Wallace said the levy would take the scheme out of annual Budget debates.
"It makes it perpetual and actually means there's a secure underpinning of the scheme," he said.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/national-disability-insurance-scheme-has-become-political-football/story-e6freoof-1226633415204
======
Disabled sex
======
Medicare levy boost to pay for disability insurance scheme
1 May 2013, 11.17am AEST
http://theconversation.com/medicare-levy-boost-to-pay-for-disability-insurance-scheme-13861
====== .. this one from Murdoch press ..
Government announces National Disability Insurance Scheme guidelines
by: JOE KELLY
From: The Australian
March 06, 2013 12:00AM
The federal government is set to part fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme by requiring
those whose disability is acquired through an injury to sue for compensation. Source: HWT Image Library
THE GOVERNMENT has released a series of draft ``rules'' informing people how to access
the National Disability Insurance Scheme and what level of support can be provided to them.
The rules, which also set out how the government can deliver assistance, are open to public comment until March 23 and will be readjusted as required following the launch of the program in five sites across NSW, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and Tasmania.
The rules establish guidelines on how to determine who is best positioned to make decisions on behalf of children with disabilities, who has parental responsibility and when children are capable of making decisions for themselves.
The determination of a "nominee'' to act on behalf of those with a disability is also set out in the draft criteria
Rules governing how people with disabilities can participate in the launch of the NDIS, starting on July 1, are also established provided that potential beneficiaries meet the age, residence and disability requirements.
The age requirement will be met if the applicant was aged below 65 years when submitting an access request, although more stringent tests will apply in South Australia and Tasmania.
The residence requirements require the applicant to hold Australian citizenship or a permanent visa and live within the areas designated by each state and territory for the launch. The rules state that if a person stops meeting the residence requirements, their status as a participant in the launch can be revoked.
An individual meets the relevant disability requirements if their impairment is likely to be permanent, results in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake basic daily activities and obtain work.
The rules clarify that participants in the launch will have individual plans, setting out the various supports that can be funded for them.
Unless their plans are managed directly with the NDIS Launch Transition Agency, there are no restrictions on who can provide the relevant assistance.
However, to become a ``registered support provider'' applications must be submitted to the agency containing an Australian Business Number, account details and a declaration of compliance with occupational health and safety laws.
The applicant must also demonstrate they possess the qualifications necessary to provide the support required and the necessary experience. They must inform the agency if they receive complaints, become insolvent or subject to an adverse action.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/government-announces-national-disability-insurance-scheme-guidelines/story-fn59niix-1226591125735
======
National Disability Insurance Scheme
Budget Review 2012–13 Index
Luke Buckmaster
The Government has committed $1.0 billion over four years for the first stage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), to be established in up to four locations from 2013–14. The locations will be determined through negotiations between the Australian Government and the states and territories. In its first year, the NDIS will provide care and support for up to 10 000 people with significant and permanent disability. This will increase to 20 000 people from 2014–15.[1]
What is the NDIS?
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview201213/NDIS
It was Plato who said, “He, O men, is the wisest, who like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”
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