As a result of lobbying for a National Disability Insurance Scheme by many in the disability sector, the Australian government has asked the Productivity Commission to hold an inquiry looking at disability care and support in Australia. The Commission has called for submissions by June 30th 2010, and will be going to all Australian capital cities in June and July to hold public hearings.

In the 2010-11 Budget the Australian government announced $500,000 of funding for disability organizations to participate in the inquiry. The way this funding will be distributed is still under discussion.

An issues paper has now been released to the public. It calls for both formal submissions and personal statements from people who may simply want to talk about their personal experience or suggest one problem and one solution. AFDO will be producing a template personal statement for anyone who would like to use it.
After submissions have been received, the Productivity Commission will produce a draft report in February next year. Submissions responding to the draft report will be due in April 2011. The final report will be handed to the government in July 2011. The government is legally required to respond to the report within 28 days of receiving it.

For more information, visit the Productivity Commission website.