NDIS and the state-funded program -- the DHS Individual Support Package (which is the focus of this article) -- are both designed to use short-term funding to eventually get persons with disabilities off of their disability support pensions. Karen is a scientist. If her family had not diverted her funding to pay for their own living expenses, by now she would have graduated from university and been working in her field, possibly earning enough to fully support herself. The main point is not that the funding is wrong, but that the system is not set up to deal with rorting by the families -- NOT rorting by the individual with the disability. With proper financial controls in place, this is less likely to occur. Policy changes at DHS in 2011 that put large sums of cash under the control of non-disabled family members has opened the door to embezzlement of funds. There are few avenues that allow the disabled family member to report it and stop it. This is a major failing in the implementation of the program. If the DHS ISP practices carry over to NDIS, this new program that has the ability to benefit Australia in a fiscally-responsible way will fall short of its goals. I am strongly in favour of disability assistance for the disabled, NOT for their non-disabled family members.

I appreciate your posted comments. I want to clarify that this article is NOT about NDIS or a criticism of NDIS. It is a cautionary tale about a state program that may be used as a model for NDIS implementation practices. As a taxpayer, I want to see my contributions applied in a responsible manner with long-term benefits to all members of society.

Dr T, I donated some meat to a young couple the other day in aid of a fund raiser for their younger mate who was left crippled from an accident involving a drunk driver, at 5 am in the morning.

The family received a large payout and wasted the lot, so now the kid is left with no legs to speak of and no money. So this is exactly what is happening.

Blind Freddie knows the funds should be quarantined for the victim and used only for their direct benefit.

Rehctub... I agree that there should be provisions to ensure the funds are protected. It's a process that takes time to correct. My concern is that fraudsters are already way ahead of policy makers on taking advantage of gaps in the system. The result for a person with a disability can be tragic.

I have been receiving a payment from the Government for about ... maybe 5 years? and didn't know anything about it untill I was told by a charity society that I had to spend $10,000 or lose it. What! Apparently I had been receiving some money from the government and had not been told. The money was to help me with things I need to help me with my disability. BUT, I did notice when I received statements from the society, that they were taking just over 50% of my payment for their 'administrative and fees' costs!

I lost my walking stick last week so am going to buy a new one now .... if the society will allow me. My home isn't disable friendly, so a wheel chair is out of the question. No, I wont be greedy, a new walking stick will do. Maybe later on I can get a shower chair.

Mally. I think that these discussions are important so that the processes can be improved. There are many people like yourself who are trying to get what you need and should be helped with that goal. Those of us who do not have a disability are willing to help with our taxpayer dollars to provide financial support for disability programs.

I wrote this article to try to make a difference to ensure the moneys support the good work they were intended to fund.