Federal government strikes deal with states on NDIS reforms
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is set for a major overhaul after the federal government secured support from the states and territories. The changes are aimed at reducing the rising costs of the $35 billion scheme, but the disability community is demanding a rethink.
Transcript
00:00After months of hard-fought negotiations with the states and territories, finally a breakthrough.
00:08These are the first and most significant co-governance changes since the inception of the scheme
00:13a decade ago.
00:14Labor's proposed changes are designed to rein in the ballooning cost of the NDIS.
00:19It's growing at an unsustainable rate.
00:22Costs projected to grow by 14% a year would be reduced to 8% through a system based on
00:27need rather than diagnosis.
00:30Greater government powers to seize any account suspected of fraud and a new definition of
00:35what constitutes an NDIS support that's still to be negotiated with the states and territories.
00:40We already provide significant additional support.
00:43We want to make sure that the federal government continues to recognise that as we move forward
00:49with the future changes to the NDIS.
00:52To get the states on board, they've been offered faster decision making on new NDIS rules and
00:57a move from unanimous to majority support from premiers and chief ministers for rule
01:01changes with significant impacts on people with disability.
01:05In terms of the budget, the stakes for the government are high, but not as high as they
01:08are for the community.
01:09For many, the NDIS is what gives them safety and independence.
01:12And major disability representative organisations are urging senators to vote against this legislation
01:17tomorrow.
01:18Minister Shorten has been talking about making an agreement with the states and territories,
01:22which is great, but we were not there and we're not at the table.
01:26We're not scared of change, but we are scared of this bill.
01:30It puts our lives and our freedom and our rights in danger.
01:33The reality is that what we are doing is securing the future of the scheme and that is what
01:38matters.
01:39The legislation is expected to pass the parliament with coalition support.