InBrief

The�Australian Government has released the Productivity Commission's final report on a�National Disability Insurance Scheme. The inquiry found that current disability support arrangements are "inequitable, underfunded, fragmented, and inefficient and give people with a disability little choice" and�that a "coherent and certain system for people with a disability is required".

The report recommends that:�a National Disability Insurance Scheme should be created to provide all Australians with insurance for the costs of support if they or a family member acquire a disability; and�a National Injury Insurance Scheme should be created to provide no fault insurance for anyone who suffers a catastrophic injury.

The�report finds that it would take at least seven years to transform disability services. In response to the Productivity Commission’s recommendations for the states and territories to harmonise their approach to catastrophic injury, the Australian Government will also convene a working group led by the assistant treasurer to work with state and territory governments, lawyers and other stakeholders to progress this important complementary reform.

10 August 2011