Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Hansard source

I think you and I had the same conversation yesterday with the same group of representatives who were in the building. First of all, I love guide dogs and I think they are beautiful—I do not know how relevant that is. Secondly, we have indicated that guide dogs are included in the NDIS. The test will be the same test applied to every assisted technology, every support that is provided—that is, is it reasonable and necessary.

The substantive point you are making is: how will an entity that is delivering guide dogs at quite reasonable expense know that the person is approved to be provided a guide dog? The agency is working that detail through at the moment. The point that was made by those who visited us yesterday is a good point, and we are working through it. The legislation is quite clear that the person is entitled to supports and if they purchase something outside of the supports they have agreed to then they are liable. No, you cannot go to the guide dog society and get a guide dog if you are not entitled to one. Sorry, Senator Fifield, you cannot have a guide dog.