ABBOTT’S NDIS REVIEW ALL ABOUT CUTS

Media Release

Jenny Macklin MP

Shadow Minister for Families and Payments
 Shadow Minister for Disability Reform

Thursday, 1 May 2014

Tony Abbott must immediately abandon his proposal for governments to undertake a political review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Today people with disability, their carers and families have awoken to news that Tony Abbott wants to commission a review into the NDIS when the Council of Australian Governments meets tomorrow.

But yesterday, Tony Abbott was in Geelong expressing his commitment to the scheme, describing the NDIS as ‘a watershed in our society’.

“For far too long people with disabilities haven't been given the support that they need so this is a watershed in our society, the National Disability Insurance Scheme - it's not just a new policy.”

[TONY ABBOTT, 30 MAY 2014]

Yesterday we saw Tony Abbott backflip on his signature Paid Parental Leave Scheme. Today’s revelations on the NDIS are further evidence that Tony Abbott is not a man of his convictions and cannot be trusted.

Any push for a another review into the NDIS by Tony Abbott is simply another attempt by the Government to cut or delay the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Labor calls on state and territory leaders to reject Tony Abbott’s recommendation for this political review into the NDIS, which is a smokescreen for cuts and delays.

Speaking today on ABC Radio, Chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency, Mr Bruce Bonyhady AM, very clearly stated that the NDIS does not need another review.

As made clear by Mr Bonyhady, the NDIS was subject to “the most exhaustive review the Productivity Commission has ever undertaken”.

Mr Bonyhady said what the NDIS needs now is careful implementation.

Mr Bonyhady’s comments confirm Labor’s position that there is absolutely no reason why the NDIS should be reviewed by Tony Abbott when its rollout is “tracking as planned”, and that “costs are well controlled”. 

Figures showing that the NDIS is tracking as planned and on cost are reportedly in the latest NDIS Quarterly Report, which the Abbott Government is sitting on.

The Abbott Government must release this report immediately.

The budget and timeline for the full rollout of the NDIS is in line with the Productivity Commission’s recommendations and was agreed to by every state and territory leader – both Liberal and Labor.

Any moves to delay the NDIS will hurt people with disability and shift the costs of delivering disability services onto the states and territories.

The self-described ‘Dr Yes’ when it comes to the NDIS, Tony Abbott promised before the election to deliver the NDIS in full and on time.

It is now clear that Tony Abbott is attempting to walk away from the bipartisan support that was so crucial to the NDIS becoming a reality.

In doing so, Tony Abbott is walking away from a promise he made to almost half a million people with disability, their families and carers.

People with disability have already waited long enough – they shouldn’t have to wait any longer.

Labor and the community are sending a very clear message to Tony Abbott: No cuts, no delays to the NDIS.