ABBOTT'S ATTACK ON THE NDIS

Media Release

Jenny Macklin MP

Shadow Minister for Families and Payments
 Shadow Minister for Disability Reform

Friday, 2 May 2014

Labor calls on state and territory leaders to reject Tony Abbott’s proposal for a politically motivated review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) when the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meet in Canberra today. 

The third quarterly report on the NDIS, released yesterday, makes clear that there is no case for any cut, cap or delay to the NDIS.

There is no case for a review. This scheme is working exactly as it was planned.

Yesterday, disability advocates comprehensively rejected the need for another review – including the National Disability and Carers Alliance, Every Australian Counts and the National Council on Intellectual Disability.

CEO of Carers Australia, Ara Creswell, said:

“The NDIS has an inbuilt review, a cost review at this point in time is both curious and concerning. Costs are right on track, package numbers are consistent and hopes are high. We need to move forward, not tread water while we undertake yet another review.”

[ARA CRESWELL, CARERS AUSTRALIA, 1 MAY 2014]

Kevin Stone, President of the National Council on Intellectual Disability said:

“…we expect the State and Territory Premiers and Treasurers to stand by people with disability and their families and stand firm against any attempts to change the agreements made”.

[KEVIN STONE, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL COUNCIL ON INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, 1 MAY 2014]

Tony Abbott must also immediately reject the recommendation of his Commission Audit to cap the level of support for participants in the NDIS and abandon his plan to recommend a review of the Scheme at today’s COAG meeting.
Already, more than 5,000 people with disability are receiving the care and support that they have waited their whole lives for.Tony Abbott said before the election that he was on a unity ticket when it came to the NDIS.Any attempt by this government to cap, cut or delay this scheme will be a broken promise.It is time for this government to get on with delivering this transformative scheme.People with disability who have already waited long enough.