Newscorp columnist, Andrew Koubardis wrote a list of requests Facebook users were allegedly trying to claim on tge National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The opening sentence is pure sensationalism:
From dog washes, electric toothbrushes, iPads, vinyl floorboards, personal training sessions and sex workers – nothing is off limits.
Full list of NDIS claims Australians are trying to claim, Andrew Koubardis, 22 October, 2022
No explanation on what iPads are used for? Vinyl floorboards?
The article copped some backlash:
Without knowing the specific needs of any of these people, or the severity of their disability, we really can’t judge their request.
Martin — 23 October 2022
Commenters attacked the using of Facebook as proof for dodgy requests:
This are posts [sic] from a Facebook group… they are not advice or pollicy of the NDIS. Several of those items absolutely would not be justified as a purchase in the legislation, and this article takes the advice of random people on Facebook as confirmation it would be abused. The sort of article that does nothing but make the general public hate on people with a disability, even more than they already do.
Sandy — 22 October 2022
Koubardis and commenters were slammed for misrepresenting NDIS funding and why it may be needed:
This article and many of the comments being made are shockingly inaccurate, there are so many people with significant disabilities who can barely get enough NDIS funding to cover their everyday care needs, yet people commenting here seem to think NDIS is a free bucket of cash to spend on luxury items!! An iPad is a reasonable and necessary disability expense for someone whose disability means they are unable to communicate verbally. An electronic toothbrush is a reasonable and necessary disability expense for someone whose physical disability means they struggle to manually brush their own teeth effectively. Meal deliveries are a reasonable and necessary disability expense for someone whose disability means they are unable to cook for themselves (far more effective than a support worker having to come and cook for them everyday). Just because something is a luxury for one individual doesn’t mean that it isn’t a reasonable and necessary disabilty expense for person with disability. *
Lucy — 21 Octobe4 2022
*Comment is published how it was written in the Herald Sun.
History of Newscorp attacking the NDIS… and the people on it
This isn’t the first time a Newscorp columnist has attacked the NDIS.
Andrew Bolt has been a critic of the scheme from the start. He slammed fifty lawnmowing and gardening companies for allegedly signing up to the NDIS to help famiilies with children with autism.
An unnamed business owner allegedly “secretly wondered” whether all his clients needed his assistance.
A landscaper and cleaner allegedly claimed that 2500 people in Tomakin, New South Wales were signed up to the NDIS.
In 2017: Daily Telegraph columnist, Miranda Devine was slammed for suggesting there was an “autism boom” when the NDIS was rolling out. And, like Bolt, Devine suggested the NDIS was just a pot if gold to be exploited.
I’m saying that the NDIS can’t and has never been exploited. But this constant demonisation from, arguably Australia’s largest commercial media outlet is wrong. It doesn’t do any good, especially for the people already dealing with complexities of the NDIS.
We’re talking about people’s lives. Lives that have been ignored and abused for too long.
Nobody has the right to judge the needs for someone from a marginalised group. It’s up to GPs, psychologists, occupational therapists, etc to determine a client’s disability and their needs. Not click – bait hungry journalists.
What do you think? Do you have any experience with the NDIS? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.