Scott Clough's life was saved by an unlikely champion, says his sister - the administrative review tribunal. But here's where it gets controversial: changes to the NDIS may stop others from getting the same help. Scott, who has cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, epilepsy, is blind and non-verbal, relies on 24/7 support from carers. Since 2019, his NDIS funding has enabled him to live with his sister, Julienne Verhagen. However, a new support plan in 2023 cut his funding by 50%, effectively forcing him back into supported accommodation. Convinced this would lead to Scott's death, Julienne appealed, eventually winning almost all of what she had asked for. But now, the government plans to drastically reduce the ART's power to change NDIS plans, moving towards a computer-generated system. This move has been condemned as 'robo-planning' by disability advocates. Legal experts warn that if these changes are implemented, the impacts could be devastating. What happens if a machine gets it 'completely wrong'? The question hangs in the air as we consider the future of NDIS support.
