Monday 2 November 2015
The YPINH National Alliance today congratulated the National Disability Insurance Agency on its the decision to contract the crucial Local Area Coordination (LAC) role to community organisations when the NDIS is rolled out in the North East metropolitan Melbourne, Central Highlands and Loddon regions next year.
‘We are particularly pleased that the NDIA will work with the community to implement this important reform, said Alliance head, Dr Bronwyn Morkham.
‘The Alliance has long held the view that allowing disability service providers to be advisors as well as service coordinators for people with disability, represents a serious conflict of interest.
‘We have put these views strongly to the NDIA and we welcome this decision to make the LACs’ independence a priority, Dr Morkham said.
‘Independent LACs must deliver comprehensive and unbiased advice. But they can only do this from outside the service system.
‘If the NDIS reform is about devolving choice and control over services to the individual with disability and their family, this is an important step towards making this the reality that Australians with disability are looking for.
‘The NDIA is to be congratulated for its recognition of a potential conflict of interest for service providers and its commitment to reform of the way services are funded and delivered.
Responses to the LAC tender are due on December 18th.
For comment:
Dr Bronwyn Morkham
M: 0437 178 078
Media Release
