30-Apr-2013

The National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) Advisory Group met today to discuss the path forward to develop a comprehensive scheme for catastrophic injuries. All four injury classes were discussed, being motor vehicle accidents, medical accidents, workplace accidents, and general accidents occurring in the home or community.

 

The Advisory Group is advising the Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation the Hon. Bill Shorten, on the issues associated with the establishment of a NIIS. The Minister attended the meeting and thanked the Group for its work. The Advisory Group was established following the Government’s announcement to reform the disability care and support system in response to the Productivity Commission’s report into Disability Care and Support.

 

At the 4 April meeting the Advisory Group:

 

• welcomed the passage of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) legislation and the progress jurisdictions are making towards commencement of launch on 1 July 2013.
• reinforced its support for the key objectives of the NIIS and NDIS to improve care and support for those with a significant and permanent disability. The Group emphasised its support for the principle of uniform coverage regardless of how a disability is acquired, and the implementation of a comprehensive system.
• expressed support for the work of States and Territories in developing and agreeing minimum benchmarks for the motor vehicle accident work stream of the NIIS prior to the NDIS launch from 1 July 2013. The Advisory Group supports Minister Shorten’s establishment of two medical misadventure working groups to provide expert advice to the Government on technical matters such as data and funding, and an appropriate definition of medical accidents. The Advisory Group sees these working groups as critical to the development of minimum benchmarks for medical treatment injury and looks forward to receiving further updates as work progresses.
• noted that developing a NIIS for general accidents and criminal injury is a significant task. A sub-group was established to explore alternatives to progress components of the general accidents work stream.
• noted that Safe Work Australia will progress technical work to develop nationally consistent, minimum benchmarks for workplace accidents which would result in long term need for support, consistent with the work streams of NIIS.
• reinforced its committed to advising the Minister and informing the Government’s decision-making on issues associated with the development of a NIIS for catastrophic injury.

 

 

Members of the NIIS Advisory Group:

 

Mr John Walsh, AM (Chair) Partner, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Associate Commissioner, Productivity Commission Inquiry into long term care and support for Australians with disability.

Mr David Bowen CEO of NDIS Launch Transition Agency. Was a Member of the Independent Panel appointed to advise the Productivity Commission and Government during the Inquiry into long-term care and support for Australians with disability.

Mr John Cain Managing Partner, Herbert Geer Law Firm.

Dr Rhonda Galbally AO Chair of the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council. Member of NDIS Advisory Group. Was a Member of the Independent Panel appointed to advise the Productivity Commission and Government during the Inquiry into long-term care and support for Australians with disability.

Ms Julie Ligeti Manager, Policy and Government Relations, Melbourne, Slater and Gordon.

Ms Ged Kearney President, Australian Council of Trade Unions.

Mr Peter Martin Australian Government Actuary.

Mr John Pritchard President, Australian Local Government Association.

Mr Paul O’Connor Chief Executive Officer, Comcare.

Dr Andrew Pesce Immediate Past President, Australian Medical Association. Was a Member of the Independent Panel appointed to advise the Productivity Commission and Government during the Inquiry into long-term care and support for Australians with disability.

Mr Alex Sanchez General Manager, Economic and Taxation Directorate, Insurance Council of Australia.