Here’s our round-up of the top five headlines in the disability sector this week.

NDIS funding a concern for Minister Scott Morrison

Federal Treasurer, Scott Morrison, has recently disclosed that there may be further cuts to welfare payments in an effort to fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, the opposition has accused the Treasurer of a “cynical and dishonest campaign to use the NDIS as a cover for ‘another harsh cut to vulnerable Australians.’” While the government is fully supportive of the NDIS, Morrison acknowledges that funding the scheme is a challenge.
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Choice and control under the NDIS

In an article entitled ‘Individual Funding for Disability Support: What are the Implications for Accountability?’ published in the Australian Journal of Public Administration, “evidence suggests that when individuals have greater choice and control over their services, they’re more likely to have better outcomes and to make more efficient and effective use of the funding.” The NDIS espouses more choice and control for people with disabilities. But, with more choice and control, are there any mechanisms in place for accountability?
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ACT Sport Hall of Fame: Recognising amazing contributors to sport

Michael Milton, one of Australia’s greatest Paralympians, has now officially been inducted into the ACT Sport Hall of Fame. Milton has called for greater recognition for athletes with a disability.He has won 11 Paralympic medals over two decades, including six gold, as well as six world championship titles. He shares the honour with two other Paralympic veterans, coach Chris Nunn and athlete Lisa Llorens. Llorens was recognised for excellence in high jump, long jump, and sprinting.
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Australia's forced sterilisation of women with disabilities tarnishing Australia’s global reputation

Australia’s forced sterilisation of women with disabilities is tarnishing Australia’s global reputation as a forward-thinking and progressive country. The United Nations has raised concerns that Australia is breaching the human rights of women with disabilities by allowing forced sterilisation policies to continue. According to the CEO of Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA), Australia has no legislation that prohibits the forced sterilisation of women with disabilities, or children. She further emphasizes that “no child should be sterilised at all as they cannot give proper consent because of their status as minors.” The treatment of asylum seekers and Indigenous people was also raised as well as discrimination in Australia of people with disabilities.
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