Michael Sukkar MP

COALITION TO CLOSELY SCRUTINISE NDIS LEGISLATION

THE HON MICHAEL SUKKAR MP
Shadow Minister for Social Services
Shadow Minister for NDIS
Shadow Minister for Housing
Shadow Minister for Homelessness

SENATOR HOLLIE HUGHES
Shadow Assistant Minister for NDIS
Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

27 March 2024

COALITION TO CLOSELY SCRUTINISE NDIS LEGISLATION

The Coalition acknowledges the introduction of Labor’s long-awaited National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS back on track No.1) Bill 2024, following the release of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Independent Review report in December.

The Coalition will work constructively with the Government on this NDIS overhaul, but it is concerning to see pointed attacks from within the Government regarding its failure to convince Labor premiers on these changes.

The new legislation has left many questions unanswered with key measures in the Bill failing to be finalised ahead of its release.

This Bill, although participant-focused, fails to address provider fraud and price gouging which are two major issues contributing to cost blowout within the Scheme.

If the legislation passes, it will take 12-18 months for the measures to become operational, putting further uncertainty on participants, families, carers and providers.

The Coalition is calling on the Government to outline how the measures in this Bill will achieve the projected savings and contribute to the overall sustainability of the NDIS, while addressing the diverse needs of NDIS participants.

The Coalition remains committed to a NDIS that is person-oriented, responsive, sustainable, and continues to provide vital support for participants.

Ends