At 28, Luke Salmon has just started his first job as a clerical assistant at a medical practice. Luke is shy around strangers, but his mother Rosemary King explains this is a “very exciting” move for her son, who badly wanted to find work.
“Luke's had a diagnosis of developmental delay with autistic features since he was small,” she says. “He's managed to complete year 12 and he's only just recently got his first job which has been very exciting.”
Rosemary describes her son as “quite capable and independent,” but there are also challenges. Luke still lives at home and requires a lot of support. He has had developmental therapy and occupational therapy. Although he works, he depends on his parents to drive him to and from his job and to other activities such as basketball.
VIEW MORE: Extended interview with Rosemary King
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Although the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is still currently in a trial stage and the details are yet to be firmed up, it's hoped the scheme will ensure people like Luke will have help and support, even if their families aren't able to care for them anymore.
Under the federal government's proposal, an NDIS will deliver “long-term high quality support” for people with significant disabilities. Those deemed eligible will meet with case workers to determine their specific needs.
“One of the things that's always on our mind is what happens in the future,” says Rosemary.
“I suppose the NDIS will give us more peace of mind and security about what we can put in place for the future when we're no longer here.”
Despite the unknown factors, Ms King remains optimistic that the scheme will deliver huge benefits.
“There's still a lot of uncertainty about how it's going to roll out; the assessment process and what it will mean for individuals, however we're hopeful that it will help to make the system more accessible, less fragmented, more equitable and easier to negotiate.”
Funding for the NDIS is an issue that continues to divide some Australians. Around one third don't support an increase in the Medicare levy to help foot the cost, according to one recent study conducted by Seven News/Reachtel.
The Medicare levy will be raised from its current level of 1.5 per cent to 2.0 per cent, meaning a worker earning $70,000 can expect to pay around $1 per day more.
The Gillard government has promised every cent of the additional funds raised under the increase will go towards funding the NDIS, with the remaining funds coming from existing revenue sources.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott has indicated the Coalition will support the planned increase to the Medicare levy to fund the NDIS, but says a Coalition government would remove the levy rise once the budget returned to strong surplus and the NDIS could be funded without it.
Francesco Lazzoppina from western Sydney told SBS he did not support an increase to the Medicare levy.
I do support helping people with disabilities -- and their carers -- though I think it could be funded in other ways.”
Rosemary King believes the scheme could actually save taxpayers money in the long run.
“I think [opponents of raising the levy] probably don't understand the hidden costs of not doing anything,” she says.
“There's a lot of waste that could be saved by rationalising and fixing the system. Hopefully this will be a fix.”
