Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten, today thanked the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) Advisory Group, which met on Friday 22 June to discuss and further consider NIIS design and implementation.
"The Advisory Group has issued a Communiqué on the outcomes of the meeting, including its support for the Government to develop the policy framework concerning medical misadventure, which relates to personal injury caused by medical error or mishap," Mr Shorten said.
"The Advisory Group's work on the issues associated with the establishment of a NIIS, is key to the Gillard Government's reforms to the disability care and support sector."
The Advisory Group was established to assist the Government consider the Productivity Commission's NIIS recommendations.
The NIIS is intended to cover the lifetime care and support needs for all people who experience a catastrophic injury.
"Why should the state you are injured in or the cause of your injury determine the level of care you receive? Your medical and support needs, not any other factor, should determine your level of care,' Mr Shorten said.
Minister Shorten is keen to consult with stakeholders and the community and will convene a group of key stakeholders in the second half of July to discuss the possible extension of the NIIS to medical misadventure.
25 June 2012
Attachment
National Injury Insurance Scheme Advisory Group - Communiqué
The National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) Advisory Group met in Sydney today to discuss and further consider NIIS design and implementation.
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 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 Sydney meeting:
- The Advisory Group supported the key objectives of the NIIS and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to improve care and support for those with a significant and permanent disability. The Group affirmed the principle of uniform coverage regardless of how a disability is acquired and the need for service delivery to reflect control and choice for people.
- The Group highlighted the importance of the NIIS to complement the long-term fiscal sustainability of the NDIS and the importance of developing the schemes together.
- The Group believes that it is important that jurisdictions share responsibility for the implementation of the NIIS within a federated model.
- At this stage, the Advisory group has principally considered the minimum standards for a federated NIIS for catastrophic injury arising from motor vehicle crashes but agreed that it was important to extend the minimum standards beyond eligibility and related issues to potential models of care and support and consumer involvement in service planning.
- Today, the Advisory Group discussed the possible extension of the NIIS to medical misadventure which can be thought of as personal injury caused by medical error or mishap. The Advisory Group affirmed its support for the Government to develop the policy framework concerning medical misadventure and flagged the need for more consultation with communities and stakeholders.
- The Advisory Group also noted the special challenges with the implementation of the NIIS for people affected in remote and regional Australia and agreed that the design of the NIIS needs to take these special needs into account particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.
- The Advisory Group will continue its work on the NIIS in a way that supports developments in launching the NDIS.
Members of the NIIS Advisory Group:
Mr David Bowen (Chair)
Executive Director, New South Wales Lifetime Care and Support Scheme. 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
National, Special Projects Manager, Maurice Blackburn.
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 Cath Evans
General Manager Corporate Development and Operations, Melbourne, Slater and Gordon
Ms Ged Kearney
President, Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Mr Peter Martin
Australian Government Actuary
Ms Genia McCaffery
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
Mr John Walsh, AM
Partner, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Associate Commissioner, Productivity Commission Inquiry into long term care and support for Australians with disability.