2021-06-22
Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has backed calls for the NDIS to scrap its age cap and allow disabled people over the age of 65 to access the supports they need to live a good life.
Senator Steele-John said it was both arbitrary and discriminatory to block disabled people over the age of 65 from accessing the NDIS.
"Older Australians with a disability deserve to be able to access the supports and services that they need to live a good life, just like everyone else," Steele-John said.
"Disabled Australians who were over the age of 65 when the NDIS was first introduced back in 2013 have lived the last 8 years - a time in their life when they should be afforded care and dignity above all else - without the extra support they need to be able to fully enjoy their retirement.
"Anyone could be involved in an accident that results in disability - it could be a parent or a friend - and, if they're over the age of 65, they would be excluded from accessing supports through the NDIS. It's discrimination.
"When the NDIS was legislated back in 2013, the Age Discrimination act was deliberately amended to exclude people over the age of 65 from receiving support through the scheme.
"To discriminate against disabled people based on their age goes against the fundamental values upon which our NDIS was built, and the Morrison government should urgently scrap the age cap to ensure everyone has access to the supports and services they need to live a good life."