Opinion: How Australia’s NDIS system tortured a family it was made to help | Kathy Stevens
More than 13 months ago, the National Disability Insurance Agency slashed Maddison Stevens’ funding by 69 per cent. It gave no particular reason for the sudden decimation of her services – apparently an algorithm somewhere said her supports were no longer “reasonable or necessary”.The NDIA cut off this family’s support, then put them through a brutal legal fight to get it back.
I am deeply indebted to the Carers WA counsellor who talked me through these times of absolute despair. In the same period, January to October 2022, the NDIA spent a staggering $40 million in legal expenses and would well outstrip its previous year’s spending when its totalThat’s my money and your money. Taxpayers’ money fighting the most vulnerable in our society, often young people who can’t walk or talk or see or speak.
Backed by her advice and the support of a Uniting WA disability advocate, I went back and forth with the NDIA’s solicitor for most of 2022, and this was interspersed with hearings where I was opposed by the solicitor and talks were mediated by an AAT registrar. I supplied dozens of financial quotes for services and reports from health professionals like psychologists, psychiatrists and physiotherapists.
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