Deakin University ALR701 Speech: NDIS and Carers - WeKarre CEO

This assignment presents a speech delivered by Francis McDonald, the CEO of WeKarre, at the National Carers Conference. The speech focuses on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and its importance for the carer community. McDonald highlights the significance of carers' contributions, the misconceptions surrounding their roles, and the challenges they face, including limited financial support and lack of flexibility in their jobs. The speech also addresses the need for government representatives and the community to understand the realities of carers' lives and to take measures to improve their position. The speech includes an introduction of special guests, an overview of the NDIS, and a call to action for the audience to appreciate the value of carers and support their needs. The speech incorporates elements of public relations, aiming to raise awareness and advocate for the carer community.

Running head: PUBLIC RELATIONS AND TACTICS
Public Relations Writing and Tactics
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1PUBLIC RELATIONS AND TACTICS
Speech:
Good morning to everyone present here in the conference! I would like to welcome our
special guests, Mr. Lee Nguyen, the Shadow Minister and Ms Karen Wood, the Federal Minister
for Disability Services. I am Francis McDonald and I am the CEO of WeKarre Company, which
is why I have a special obligation towards our Carers and here today I would like to throw the
limelight upon the works of NDIS and its significance in the careers of our Carers here. Along
with its importance and the facilities that NDIS provides, we must also be aware of the reality of
the lives of our Carers which seems to hold many misconceptions and stays hidden most of the
time.
The roles that Carers play have such a huge contribution in our lives and it can never be
denied under any scenarios. It is because of them that we can get out earning our own living
because back at home we have a very trustable Carer who is looking after our sick family
member, mentally unstable elders or any one of our loved one who is suffering from a chronic
disease. This vital job is appreciated by us and is recognised by NDIS through the
implementation of the NDIS Act of 2013; this act provided guidelines and certain rules
surrounding their roles and appreciating its importance; these guidelines are also provided so that
the carers are assessed with support to let them know that they can continue with their good work
and we are standing right by them. NDIS also makes sure that every need of a Carer is met so
that their position can be strengthened and they can carry out the work for which they are being
appreciated.
There are definite terms that NDIS is known for since it is seen that when it comes to the
point of providing help and support to those people who agreed to help common men like us
without any regard of time and place, NDIS has always come forward to help. The Carers do not

2PUBLIC RELATIONS AND TACTICS
have a concrete plan structure of their payment that is why NDIS offers benefits to the Carers
though indirectly. The feedbacks from our Carers after the implementation of the NDIS act were
mostly positive; they expressed their job satisfaction and the positive experience that they got the
opportunity to gain from the job provided although they had to face difficulties in the process of
engaging with the policies and plans of the NDIS. The policy structure of the NDIS is a
complicated piece of work that creates trouble when the Carers try to identify their worth in the
society. The policies are promising yet they are very limited in their nature and do not provide
flexibility in the jobs of the Carers.
There have been some recent incidents that have provided certain misconceptions
surrounding the payment structure of our Carers and let me tell you that these misconceptions are
not at all positive in any manner. If anything, these misconceptions are misleadingyou towards
false information. Carers have a job that is demanding in its nature and the requirement it needs
cannot be provided by just anyone but one who will have a great will power and a strong sense
of determination. Even after the help provided by the NDIS, it cannot be negated that their
policies are limited which is why the carers are never allowed to benefit from their policies
directly. It becomes troublesome for the Carers to benefit more from their jobs. The commitment
that Carers provide us with is more than we can ever ask for; their personal life exists to the point
of nothing. On top of everything, they do not get enough informal support that would make up
even a b it for all the sacrifices that they happily commit for taking care of our loved ones. Pick
any one of our Carer friend from the audience and ask them the key issue that they face, they will
consider the fact that they themselves do not get the time and opportunity to spend time with
their own family and are missing out important moments of their lives for us. You must know
that this job of a Carer not only lacks a concrete payment structure, but also it lacks in promotion

3PUBLIC RELATIONS AND TACTICS
or appraisal. The payment structure is so pathetic that sometimes they have to fight really hard to
make their ends meet; it becomes utterly difficult for our Carer friends over here to even get a
basic cost per day to maintain a decent lifestyle, let alone a lifestyle they desire.
It is shocking when I get to know that, even after so many obstacles, our Carers are ready
to work more and even commit more if they are given a little bit of flexibility. I have seen in so
many cases that their efforts have gone in vain due to this lack of flexibility. My point is that the
relevant government representatives should realise their duties and take a peek at the real side of
their troublesome lives. The misconception that carers get enough from the non-governmental
organizations should be erased off the scene and genuinely notice the disappointment they have
in their lives but still they do carry out their jobs.
Now I would like to ask a question to m y audience here, and it might be a rhetorical one:
is it enough what carers are getting in return of their contribution? The treatment they receive in
their workplace, do you think it is the same and positive everywhere? Keep in mind the kind of
people they have to look after, people with mental illness or chronic disease; we know the
troublesome behaviour these people bear for their illness, and this is what the Carers look after
and endure.
Lets all take some time to appreciate their place in the society. My aim for the speech is
to make the community and the government representatives aware of their miserable position
and make them take measures to uplift their position. It is not impossible to push their position
towards a better place and they deserve this. Thank you so much for joining us today over here, I
hope everyone has a great day ahead.