15593 – Tony Tregale

1. Do you believe the new NDAF encompasses your vision of advocacy? If not, what changes are
required? What people with disabilities and their stakeholders need is effective support to challenge service providers who currently have captive market and a power over people philosophy.

2. Are the principles of the NDAF appropriate for guiding the delivery of advocacy for people with disability in a changing disability environment, including in the context of the NDIS? If not, what changes are required? Ensure people with disabilities and their stakeholders do not have to present their concerns “beyond reasonable doubt and sufficient to stand up in the Supreme Court” to get past first base!

3. Are the outcomes of the NDAF clear and achievable? Should different ones be included? If so,
what should be included? That people with disabilities and their stakeholders do not have to face service providers with a barrage of legal support, unless they have an equal level of legal support.

4. Are the responsibilities, reform and policy directions of the NDAF relevant or should
different ones be included? There needs to be direction which ensures at every step of advocacy support, it is fully recognised by all sides that NDIS participants and their stakeholders are front, centre and valued as paying customers – the NDIS plan money is in their pocket. the money not seen by providers as a government handout for providers and their staff to treat participants and their stakeholders as bludging off government and lucky to get what they get.

5. Does the NDAF identify what is needed in the current and future disability environment? If
not, what changes are required? Positive support for participants and their stakeholders, not avoidance and denial.

6. Do you have any other comments, thoughts or ideas about the NDAF? We need effective advocacy which treats the participant and their stakeholder as, “considered as always right”. This is to counter providers considering they are the professionals and therefore always right, and the consumer always wrong. The NDIS basic principle is that of providers needing to attract and retain consumers in a marketplace environment where there is more supply than demand. Until this occurs, very effective advocacy is vital.