Delayed NDIS reform report ‘proves probe was rushed’
The delay of a major report into plans to overhaul the $56 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme has been labeled “disrespectful” as disability advocates demand participants are protected from harm.
The parliamentary inquiry into Labour’s proposed changes will release its report on Friday afternoon, following a last-minute decision earlier this week to delay publication of the ruling.
Albania’s government is trying to claw back billions of dollars in savings to prevent the NDIS from continuing to grow at an “unsustainable” rate under changes that would remove 160,000 people from the scheme.
Disability groups have told public hearings that the reform would lead to people dying and increase complexity for support providers.
Disabled Persons Australia interim chief Jarrod Sandell-Hay, who is also an NDIS participant, said he hoped the report would acknowledge the concerns raised during the investigation.
“The community is really concerned about the harm this could do to people, we have a lot of potential unknowns,” he told AAP.
“We are ready to work with the government to make sure we get this right, we want the bill to be changed in its current form.”
Mr Sandell-Hay said the delayed report showed the investigation had been rushed.
In a damning presentation on the final day of the inquiry, the country’s disability ministers warned that thousands of people would be left without access to essential services or sent to places unsuitable for their needs to be met.
States and territories also warned that the changes went beyond previous recommendations made in reviews of the programme.
NDIS Minister Mark Butler previously said the changes were on track to pass parliament in early July.
Opposition NDIS spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh criticized the extension as “disrespectful” to community groups and stakeholders rushing to meet the government’s short timeframe.
“I am an optimistic person, so I hope that the delay means that the concerns of the disabled community, who have said in no uncertain terms that people will die if the bill is passed in its current form, have been heard and that the government will be open to making changes to the legislation,” he said before the report was published.
“If the Prime Minister and treasurer can listen to the concerns of Australia’s small businesses and start-ups… then I hope Minister Butler can do the same for the disability community and take action on their concerns.”
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