Ms Catherine Cox:

The Senator asked why people do not appeal. I would say it is because it is soul destroying and they are exhausted. Carers have to fight for everything, including assessment, interventions, education and transition to adult services, and, on top of that, they are asked to go through this process and appeal. Quite often they are just exhausted and they give up the fight.

We absolutely believe a review of the medical report is required. Parents tell us about how they feel guilty. They almost have to say what their child's worst days are to get recognised and paid, which should not be the case. Sometimes they want to talk about the good things that happen but they cannot because if they do, they will be turned down. We certainly need to look at the medical form. If other countries can do it with four pages, why can we not do that here? That should form part of what this committee examines.