Australians will get the chance to have their say as federal disability services laws undergo their first major shake-up since 1986. Source: SBS News.
The Albanese Government has launched a landmark review of the Disability Services Act and opened the legislation to public comment.
The Act dictates ways the Australian government can provide disability services beyond the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Disability Employment Services, advocacy funding, service provider certifications and disability services regulation standards are all governed by this legislation.
The Disability Services Act has not undergone significant change in almost 40 years.
Since then, the federal government has signed on to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and conducted the Royal Commission into the Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
The proposed overhaul hopes to improve outcomes for people with disabilities by updating support services in accordance with the country’s diplomatic obligations and taking in recommendations from the community.
“One in six Australians are living with disability and it’s important we look to how we can improve all our systems to make sure all people living with disability, not just those connected to the NDIS, get the right level of support,” Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said.
During the consultation period, the Government will discuss the act’s aims, outline who the act should support, consider definitions and inclusive language, and review funding priorities.
FULL STORY
Australia’s disability laws set to undergo first major shake up in nearly 40 years (SBS News)
