Input to:  

Department of Treasury CONSULTATION REGULATION
IMPACT STATEMENT 

National Injury Insurance Scheme: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Released April 2014

Authorised by:
Ms Angela Tillmanns
Chief Executive Officer
Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland
Email:	atillmanns@cplqld.org.au	
Telephone:	(07) 3358 8168	
Postal Address:	PO Box 386
Fortitude Valley  QLD  4006	

23 May 2014
CPL welcomes the opportunity to comment on this Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) prepared by PWC for the Department of Treasury.

Question 1: Is this chapter a correct statement of the problem? 
Overall, CPL considers the RIS to be well-informed, with one major exception.  
The policy options proposed do not account for bilateral agreements between the Commonwealth and individual States stating that people 65 and over are not eligible to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), unless doing so prior to age 65 years.  Thus the impression given in the policy options - that the NDIS will provide safety net support for all Australians, - is not strictly the case. 
A more accurate representation is that the NDIS will provide a safety net for people under 65 years of age. 
Question 5: Do you agree with the description of the base case?
The two options presented in the RIS both reinforce the need for minimum standards to be met in relation to the care and support needs of individuals with a disability regardless of how their disability arises. 
CPL recognises that both options presented have cost implications for the Queensland State Government.  This was clearly identified in the Productivity Commissions findings and formed part of its recommendations to Government.
The RIS outlines a compelling argument for Queensland to move away from this model to a “no fault” scheme, as operates in the majority of Australian jurisdictions. 
This case is strengthened by the misconception about the safety net for all people receiving catastrophic injuries having safety net provision under the NDIS, when this is not the case.
Consideration of Options
CPL’s clear preference is for OPTION 1 – Federated Model of the NIIS.
With reference to Option 2, the issues relating to those over 65 not having access to the safety net potentially available under the NDIS, establishes a significant flaw in the case for Option 2
Additionally, if the Queensland Government elects not to introduce a no-fault scheme, using the NDIS as a safety net for those people suffering a catastrophic injury may reduce the availability of vital early intervention and timely rehabilitation.  
This would have significant impact to an individual’s recovery and ability to take all opportunities to reconnect and engage in community and work life.  The RIS points out that it would end up being a cost shift to already overloaded State health systems. 
CPL also notes that the RIS focuses heavily on motor vehicle accidents as the mode of catastrophic injury. It should be noted CPL will be keenly awaiting discussion that specifically speaks to medical negligence as this is a key area of focus for our constituents.
CPL would be only too pleased to expand on any of the information provided in this submission.

Angela Tillmanns 
Chief Executive Officer 
23 May 2014 
About 

CPL is the largest non-government service provider for Queenslanders who have a physical disability and provides a broad range of services throughout the state.  
	
CPL’s vision is:
An inclusive society for all people

The CPL Way

CPL recognises that businesses with a balanced approach to customer service reap the rewards, while poor service delivery results in loss of profit and market share, or, in the case of not-for-profit organisations, in escalating costs, diminished productivity and lack of effectiveness. 

This aligns strongly to The CPL Way and CPL positioning as a business with a heart. 

Our values of client focus, respect, inclusion, integrity, excellence and courage drive us to:
• Understand the person
• Give great service
• Work together
• Find better ways

The organisation has grown, from humble beginnings in 1948 led by a group of parents of children and concerned citizens to one - sixty five years on - that provides over $70m of support services to assist more than 5,000 Queenslanders with cerebral palsy and related disabilities and their families/carers to achieve their life goals, each year. 

CPL provides a broad range of support services, the majority supported by government funding, some fee-paying services and services sponsored through corporate and community partnerships combined with and donations.

CPL groups its services to individuals and families under five areas:
•	My Life Consultancy – where we discuss people’s life goals and work with them about options for support, assist broker appropriate service (CPL and non-CPL), act as the client’s agent in dealings with providers
•	Support at Home – providing a range of support services to adults with a disability and families of children with a disability in their homes
•	Support in the Community – assisting adults, children and families access and participate in their communities through services such as community access, life skills development, recreation and leisure support, outside schools hours and vacation care for children with a disability and their siblings, assistance with transport, peer support, access to information and community linking
•	Allied Health Services – providing or organising a broad range of professional services, including access to assistive technology support and customisation of aids and equipment (through Mylestones Mobility)
•	Employment Support – providing open and supported employment options to people with a disability – in real jobs on award wages. 

CPL also provides:
•	a state-wide information and referral service to more than 5,000 individuals with a disability and their families, workers in the disability sector, medical and allied health professionals and the general community; and 
•	an internationally recognised research program.

CPL hosts the Queensland Cerebral Palsy Register, which produced its first biennial report on the incidence and prevalence of cerebral palsy in Queensland.  

In addition to these services, CPL is also Registered Training Organisation providing a range of accredited and non-accredited training for people with a disability as well as workers in the disability community and health sectors.

CPL also operates four Social Enterprise businesses that employ both people with and without a disability on award-based wages in the printing and packaging industries.

CPL employs approximately 1500 staff to provide and support its range of support services.  

CPL is a company, with a Board of Directors, who volunteer their services and expertise.

CPL is certified under the following quality management systems:
•	National Disability Employment Standards
•	Queensland Disability Service Standards and
•	AS/NZS ISO 9001:2008.

CPL has an evolving range of vehicles for engagement with our constituency, including:
•	formally constituted bodies separate to the organisation, such as the state-wide Client Consultative Committee and the Parents and Guardians Association
•	regionally based client committees
•	regular surveys seeking feedback and input on client satisfaction, suggestions for improvement and unmet needs
•	a feedback system (including complaints management)
•	issue-specific forums; and 
•	a range of less formal gatherings of clients and families with CPL staff.

The views put forward through these engagement mechanisms are fed directly into CPL’s strategic and business planning, CPL policies, service development and CPLs advocacy on public policy and community issues impacting on the lives of people with a disability and their families/carers.