NDIS age limit ‘cruel lottery’
An arbitrary figure plucked out of thin air will be used to exclude older Australians with severe disabilities from the NDIS, says a consumer lobby for the over 50s. The Labor government yesterday introduced amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Bill.
An arbitrary figure plucked out of thin air will be used to exclude older Australians with severe disabilities from the NDIS, says a consumer lobby for the over 50s.
The Labor government yesterday introduced amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Bill which pay no heed to extensive calls from older Australians and their families to scrap the discriminatory 65year age limit.
“Labor’s NDIS age limit is a cruel lottery for older Australians,” National Seniors chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said.
“Acquire a severe disability at 64 and you’ll be covered for life; acquire exactly the same disability at age 65 and you’ll be shunted into the second rate user pays aged care system,” he added.
According to Mr O’Neill, today’s 65 year olds are in good health and, increasingly, in full time employment.
“They’re still paying taxes, raising and supporting families, volunteering and adding to the rich fabric of their local communities.
“Should they be suddenly struck down by a severe disability, their children and grandchildren, more than anyone else, will grapple to understand why mum or grandpa is denied the help given to other Australians.”
The user pays aged care system, where, through this exclusion, these people will be consigned, is “no place for them”, he adds.
“It is ill equipped, understaffed and now, at the early stages of reform, in a greater state of flux than ever before”.
“In this election year, the age limit will speak volumes about Labor’s attitude towards older Australians.”
