NDIS overhaul stalls as Labor looks to secure deals
The final report on major cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme is expected to be delayed for a third time.
The final report of the snap parliamentary inquiry into changes to the $56 million plan will be tabled on Tuesday after two extensions were granted.
However, a temporary version is expected to be presented instead, sources familiar with the matter told AAP.
The government hopes to use the two weeks before parliament’s winter recess to push the controversial bill through parliament after the report came in requiring a deal with both the coalition and the Greens.
The proposed NDIS overhaul would remove 160,000 people from the scheme to rein in spending, leaving thousands with less funding.
At the same time, sweeping changes and negative practices to the capital gains tax were not well received by voters; Polls show support for Labor continues to fall.
The Greens agreed to the tax changes and voted for the legislation in the lower house, but want a longer investigation into the NDIS bill and minimum cuts.
The minor party could stop both bills in the Senate by joining with an already troubled coalition as Pauline Hanson’s One Nation grows in popularity.
The coalition strongly opposed the tax changes, saying they would hurt young home buyers and small businesses.
The interim report could be a sign that Labor plans to reach a deal with the Greens and give more time for investigations into NDIS cuts.
Party room briefings, which usually take place on the first Tuesday morning of a sitting bloc, are likely to be a better indicator of both parties’ intentions.
Both Labor and the coalition are likely to consider how their next moves might prevent the rise of One Nation.
A Roy Morgan poll on Monday showed One Nation’s primary support rising by two percentage points to 31.5 per cent, clearly ahead of Labour’s 27 per cent.
The coalition’s primary vote fell to just 17.5 percent.
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