Inclusion Australia’s Future Direction
Options Discussion Paper
Preamble
Discussions on the future of Inclusion Australia (IA) should not be predicated on whether Inclusion
Australia will cease to be. Inclusion Australia has never been defined by the funding that it receives
from the Commonwealth Government, rather this funding has enhanced the capacity of our Agency
members and provided capability to undertake a range of policy discussions and consultations.
Inclusion Australia has strong Agency members, strong support among intellectual disability
organisations and many individuals. So the question is, what options do Inclusion Australia’s Agency
members have to respond to the challenge of a realignment of its resources.
Since our incorporation over 60 years ago Inclusion Australia has been a national ‘federated’
organisation, ie, it has one Agency Member from each state each having an equal place in the
governance structure of the organisation. This means that Inclusion Australia is its Agency members.
This differs from other organisations where members are not formally part of the governance structure
their ‘authority’ only being exercised at the organisation’s AGM.
While Inclusion Australia has individual members through subscription to Interaction, inquiries
regarding membership from individuals and organisations are directed to the Agency member in their
State. While this has ‘restricted’ the funding available to the secretariat it has provided a cohesive
governance structure and reinforced our connection to the ‘grassroots’ through the daily contact that
our Agency members have with people with intellectual disability and families.
Over the past 12 months our Agency members have undertaken considerable work on the benefits of
working as unified group, this work lead to the development of the IA ‘matrix’, the consortium DSS
funding application and the beginning of the development of an IA members business plan which
seeks to formalise working relationships between Agency members.
Introduction
To be relevant to people with intellectual disability and their families Inclusion Australia must
continue to be actively engaged in policy discussions at a Commonwealth level. To this end we have
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secured funding for a policy position, currently held by Paul, with some of the time of this position
dedicated to employment and income support policy.
Over the past 18 months we have transitioned a number of our administrative functions to online
platforms, including Interaction, to decrease the cost of using and maintaining them.
Agency membership fees currently fund the two Board meeting a year plus teleconferences;
depending on venue and timing the fees can be stretched beyond the attendance of only Board
members.
We are continuing to pursue avenues of funding with opportunities that may exist with the NDIS
Agency and DSS. We are also working with AFDO on applications to philanthropic trusts.
Options for discussion
The options presented are only for discussion; they are not exhaustive nor are they self contained.
One of the benefits of Inclusion Australia is the extensive experience and high level of skill that our
Agency members have and that they bring to discussions. The options are not intended to be closed
but to continue the discussions that we have had over the past 18 months.
Option 1 - Maintain current structure
Given that the Board and policy officer costs are met, to maintain current secretariat functions will
cost $45,000; including salary (3 days + on costs), audit, mobile, internet and software; approx
$7,500 per Agency Member.
Implicit in this option is that:
• project funding would be pursued and if successful would offset contributions from Agency
members
• the IA business plan would be completed, and implemented with a commitment from Agency
members to contribute to the IA secretariat from business plan activities
• Agency members would take the lead on policy issues until funding is secured
• changes will be minimal, with an emphasis on policy development and maintaining the profile of
issues that affect people with intellectual disability
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Option 2 - Consolidation
For the 12 months from 1 July 2015 to support the work of the policy officer and to continue to seek
funding to expand the policy capacity of a national secretariat.
Implicit in this option is that;
• the work of the secretariat will be reduced to 1 day a week (cost $20,000) or assumed by an
Agency member
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Agency Members will coordinate policy development and consultation on specific issues
an Agency member would assume leadership for fundraising
Agency members will work though a process for a ‘new-look’ Inclusion Australia.
communication and strategy protocols will be developed to govern the relationships between
members
Option 3 - Active Membership
The promotion of Inclusion Australia with the purpose of expanding the funding base through
memberships and the creation of issue based networks.
Implicit in this option is that;
• Inclusion Australia will fundamentally change as members and networks would expect a direct say
in the governance of IA.
• a development plan will have to be quickly devised with a clear purpose for prospective members
to get excited about
• as an interim measure the work of the policy officer will have to be supported by an Agency
member
• as an interim measure for Agency Members to identify national policy issues that they will develop
and promote on behalf of Inclusion Australia members.
Other options …
Option 4 - Join with others
As Inclusion Australia has strong members and good networks IA could seek to merge or ‘take over’
another organisation such as AFDO, the Cross Disability Alliance or PWD.
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Non-Option 5 - Disappear
Inclusion Australia could be dissolved by Agency members, this would have to be unanimous as the
organisation could be picked up by an Agency member or Agency members. This does not preclude a
member relinquishing their membership of Inclusion Australia, to another organisation in their state,
and separately working out how they will work with the Commonwealth and the Cross Disability
Alliance members.
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