Michael Sukkar MP

‘YOU NAME IT, IT’S ON THE LIST’: DRUG TRAFFICKING RIFE IN THE NDIS

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

MEDIA RELEASE

5 June 2024

‘YOU NAME IT, IT’S ON THE LIST’: DRUG TRAFFICKING RIFE IN THE NDIS

Shocking revelations out of Senate Estimates on Monday revealed dodgy providers are using the National Disability Insurance Scheme to traffic illicit drugs, including heroin, cocaine and ice. This follows earlier revelations about the use of prostitutes funded by the NDIS.

Bill Shorten and his handpicked NDIS CEO Rebecca Falkingham have allowed illegal drugs to be trafficked to and through Australia’s most vulnerable and paid for by the taxpayer.

The Coalition is calling on the Minister to explain why he has allowed this to happen under his watch and urgently stop the monumental misuse of taxpayer funds that’s putting vulnerable participants and their safety at risk.

NDIA officials also confirmed 90 per cent of NDIS plan managers are portraying “significant indicators of fraud” with up to $2bn of the $45bn-a-year scheme is being inappropriately spent.

After two years of the Albanese Government, fraud in the NDIS has never been worse. Genuine Australians with disabilities have seen wait times blow out, while the criminals, cartels and fraudsters are running rampant.

There are not enough prosecutions of fraud, and it’s startling that the Government has waived the white flag on more criminal prosecutions. If cases of fraudulent activity are not being prosecuted, that of itself will only inevitably encourage even more fraud.

It is extremely concerning we are hearing that the NDIS has been exploited to facilitate these highly illegal activities. With already two years under Labor’s belt, the idea that this Government is getting the NDIS ‘back on track’ is a complete farce.

Ends