By CHERIE DONNELLAN
CLAIMS the newly-implemented national disability insurance scheme would have “teething problems” have been denied by Minister of Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin.
The Independent reported last week Australian Lawyers Alliance National President Geraldine Collins saying DisabilityCare Australia had an “unclear” framework.
She cast doubt on an individual’s right for case review and whether the “state-based system” offered equalised support for the same disability assistance request.
But a spokeswoman for Ms Macklin’s said applicants would face “nationally consistent eligibility requirements which are set in legislation”, though assessed at a “local level”.
The scheme’s Geelong-based headquarters opened last week, serving Barwon residents as one of four national launch sites.
“DisabilityCare Australia is being rolled out in stages because it’s a big change to the current system,” she said.
“It’s also a permanent change, so it needs to be implemented in a sustainable and sensible way.”
Concerns about case review rights were misplaced, the spokeswoman said.
“An individual may seek internal review of decisions made by DisabilityCare Australia, followed by an external review if required.
“The Australian Government established a separate division of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to conduct independent reviews of decisions made by DisabilityCare Australia.
“This will ensure that people who request an independent review will be seen by AAT members experienced in considering DisabilityCare Australia decisions and working with people with disability.”
DCA participant and Geelong resident Lynne Foreman said she found the process to be “fantastic” since applying for increased assistance under the new scheme.
In initial discussions with DCA Barwon office staff, Mrs Foreman, who is confined to a wheelchair, was told she could receive increased home care and funding.
Services could include increased home care help, gardening and lawn maintenance assistance, funding for modifications to her kitchen to make it more accessible to her, and assistance while she went on holidays to other states.
“If I want to go away, say to visit my sisters in Queensland, I have no problems now – I can get care (such as assistance showering) from there.”
