Why did The Productivity Commission recommend the NDIS not cover Aged Care?

0 Comments read Disability, Health & Science, NDIS
John Walsh. Photo supplied by JW

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 11.11.2021 (Hireup): John Walsh, a long time former National Disability Insurance Agency board member and one of the authors of The Productivity Commission (PC) report that recommended the design of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), explains the reasons why the NDIS was geared for a specific disability cohort – and why in his opinion, it shouldn’t cover Aged Care. Walsh has lived with quadriplegia since an accident during a rugby league game in his early twenties.

NB: What was the reasoning behind limiting NDIS to under 65-year-olds?

JW: There were very clear definitional, economic and ideological reasons why the NDIS should focus on younger people with disabilities.

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Why we need to bolster My Aged Care to come at par with the NDIS

0 Comments read Disability, Health & Science, NDIS
George Laszuk. Photo Supplied by GL

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 20.10.2021 (Hireup): George Laszuk is among thousands of Australians with a disability who are not covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which excludes people over the age of 65.

He missed the NDIS safety net by less than a year. “It came as a bombshell. I felt cheated. We had campaigned for it for so many years. Until today, it has never been made clear as to why we were excluded,” says Laszuk, who contracted poliomyelitis at 11 months of age in 1951. October is polio awareness month.

He is now experiencing Post-Polio Syndrome and requires a powered wheelchair and assistance with showering and daily chores. His My Aged Care package barely meets his daily needs despite him being in the highest category of the program.

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On the syllabus: Landlocked Down Under

0 Comments read Education

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 17.10.2021 (Khaleej Times): Home has not been a flight away for international students in Australia. In mid-March 2020, the country took the unprecedented measure of slamming shut its international borders in response to the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus. Since then, these students haven’t been able to visit their loved ones.

“Australia will be ready for take-off, very soon” once the country reaches 80 percent full immunisation – possibly by early November – announced Prime Minister Scott Morrison on 1st October. But travel restrictions are set to ease only for Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Australia has been an attractive destination for international students, but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its international education sector has been huge. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that for the year to June 2021, export revenue from international education was down by 28 per cent on the previous year.

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