Abstract
This paper is intended to be a very brief snapshot describing the discussion surrounding
demand and supply and the NDIS. We contend that the use of descriptions of activities that
are normally used to describe market activities represents a threat to outcomes of the
Scheme because it misrepresents the relationship between consumers, suppliers and the
NDIS. This situation in turn drives funding rationing policy suggesting that suppliers will
respond to economic signals in the interest of consumers while suggesting that those
consumers have economic power that they do not have—when the NDIA actually sets the
decision framework. It is clear that the NDIA funds suppliers to provide supports and
services to consumers who need those supports in order to live their lives and that the usual
factors considered in markets economics, such as demand, supply and preference, do not
apply. Additionally, in circumstances where the expectation is that they will apply, there is
great risk that consumers will bear the brunt of negative outcomes, including that of not
receiving services and supports.
demand and supply and the NDIS. We contend that the use of descriptions of activities that
are normally used to describe market activities represents a threat to outcomes of the
Scheme because it misrepresents the relationship between consumers, suppliers and the
NDIS. This situation in turn drives funding rationing policy suggesting that suppliers will
respond to economic signals in the interest of consumers while suggesting that those
consumers have economic power that they do not have—when the NDIA actually sets the
decision framework. It is clear that the NDIA funds suppliers to provide supports and
services to consumers who need those supports in order to live their lives and that the usual
factors considered in markets economics, such as demand, supply and preference, do not
apply. Additionally, in circumstances where the expectation is that they will apply, there is
great risk that consumers will bear the brunt of negative outcomes, including that of not
receiving services and supports.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1-6 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Mar 2021 |
Publication series
| Name | Australian Disability Services System Research Project Green Paper Series |
|---|---|
| Publisher | University of Western Australia |
| No. | 4 |