Disabled people urge reflection as key report delayed
Disability advocates are calling on Albania’s government to halt plans to hastily overhaul the National Disability Insurance Scheme after a major report on the changes was again delayed.
The parliamentary inquiry was due to submit its report on June 16, before the deadline was brought forward by three days.
The report is not expected to be published until June 23.
Labor is trying to strike a deal with the Greens that would expand the investigation into the proposed reform in exchange for the smaller party’s support for the government’s tax changes announced in the federal budget.
Under changes to the $56 billion NDIS, the government will remove 160,000 people from the scheme to rein in spending.
Disability Advocacy Network Australia chief executive Emma Bennison said the delay showed politicians were taking the evidence from more than 4000 applications seriously.
“This is a positive sign and it is very clear that the timeframe for the investigation was not sufficient and needed to be longer,” he told AAP.
“No one is suggesting that reform is not necessary, but it needs to be done with disabled people, not with us.
“We must be properly heard and not ignored.”
Ms Bennison said the bill needed significant changes to protect the rights of disabled people and that the government should design the reform together with disability groups.
Down Syndrome Australia chief executive Darryl Steff said withholding support from people and isolating them from their communities often resulted in abuse and neglect.
“This cannot become a political football while politicians talk about financial savings and disabled people expect certainty about their future,” he said.
Disabled Women Australia chief executive Sophie Cusworth said she hoped the delay meant the extensive evidence was being taken seriously.
“Latency only matters when used well,” he said.
“The government and parliament should use this time to properly consider the evidence, listen to disabled people and make sure any reforms do not leave people without the support they need.”
Opposition NDIS spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh said she would welcome a longer investigation and called on Labor and the Greens to “stop playing games” on the legislation.
“For this report to be delayed for a second time and for everyone to wait with no transparency about what’s going on only adds to the high level of anxiety Australians already feel about Labour’s cuts,” he said.
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