The former head of Autism Awareness Australia has described the resignation of NDIA CEO, Martin Hoffman, as “a great day for the agency.”
Nicole Rogerson described his tenure as an “absolute failure to lead an organisation that takes care of vulnerable people, leaving the community confused, petrified and ignored.”
Rogerson’s comments come after Hoffman’s resignation was announced on Wednesday. He’d been in charge of the NDIA, the governing body of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), since November 2019.
His resignation has been welcomed by some members of the disability community, who see it as a chance for change.
Rogerson, a long-time autism advocate, told Hireup “it’s time for a new direction and a new strategy” adding that Hoffman had “ignored the disability community.”
She says the next CEO needs to be “a strong leader, who leads with both their head and their heart. We need this [scheme] to be sustainable for generations going forward. [We need] a smart leader with emotional intelligence.”
People with Disability Australia tweeted that they welcomed Mr Hoffman’s resignation and hoped this announcement would herald “the beginning of cultural change for the NDIA to ensure true independence of the NDIS from government and make sure people with disability are at the heart of the Scheme.”
National Spokesperson for ‘Every Australian Counts’ - the group that campaigned for creation of the NDIS - Ellie Desmarchelier, tweeted her reaction to the news in just one word, “Good.”
Hoffman’s resignation was announced in a statement by the NDIA board. Its chair, Denis Napthine, said Hoffman had “led the Agency with passion, grace and commitment, including managing through the impacts of the COVID pandemic.”
Hoffman was heavily criticised by many in the disability community for the Agency’s attempts to impose so-called “independent assessments” on participants. This would have seen people on the scheme assessed by NDIA-contracted therapists - instead of their own - as part of the application process. The move was eventually abandoned after a nationwide campaign by disability groups, Labor and the Greens.
One of its biggest critics was Bill Shorten, who was sworn in as the new NDIS minister last week after Labor swept to power. On Wednesday, Shorten thanked Hoffman for his service and wished him well for the future.
Greens Senator, Jordan Steele-John, was more outspoken, tweeting that Hoffman “broke trust with the disability community while CEO of the NDIS, and knowing that he had so much control over [people’s] choices was a source of fear for many. His resignation will bring so much relief to the disability community.”
Senator Steele-John is one of many calling for Hoffman’s replacement to be a person with disability. Current deputy CEO, Lisa Studdert, will step into the role until a permanent replacement is found.
Hoffman will remain CEO until 2 July when he officially steps down. In an email sent to NDIA staff on Wednesday he said it had been “an absolute privilege to have served in this role for the last three years. I wish the Scheme, and its participants, families, carers and providers all the very best for the future.”
Credit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/