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'Ridiculous and disrespectful': Inquiry into NDIS cuts extended

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Disability advocates welcomed an eight-week extension for a Senate inquiry into proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) cuts.
  • The extension was granted in exchange for the Greens' support on tax reform, allowing more time for scrutiny of the bill that could remove over 200,000 people from the NDIS.
  • Critics argue the proposed overhaul is dangerous and disrespectful, while the government claims it is necessary to slow NDIS growth and combat fraud.

Disability advocates have welcomed an eight-week extension for a Senate inquiry into proposed cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), a move described as critical for proper scrutiny. The extension, until August 14, was secured through a deal between the Albanese government and the Greens, who traded their support for tax reform in exchange for more time to examine the NDIS overhaul bill.

The bill, which aims to save approximately $38 billion over four years by removing over 200,000 people from the NDIS, had been facing intense criticism. Advocates, including Every Australian Counts chair George Taleporos, called the initial two-week window for public submissions "ridiculous and disrespectful." "This bill poses serious risks to our essential supports and will cause harm," Taleporos stated.

It should never have taken this much pressure to get more time. Giving people with disability and our families just two weeks to respond to a bill that would reshape the future of the NDIS was ridiculous and disrespectful. This bill poses serious risks to our essential supports and will cause harm.

— George TaleporosChair of Every Australian Counts, criticizing the initial timeline for the NDIS overhaul bill.

While an interim report recommended the bill pass with added clarifications, Coalition senators expressed concerns about transparency and the government's plans for ensuring the safety of affected individuals. The Greens and independent senator David Pocock also raised issues regarding ministerial powers, automated decision-making, and potential disproportionate impacts on women. Despite securing amendments to soften ministerial powers and increase transparency around automated decision-making, the Greens intend to continue opposing the bill.

Women with Disability Australia (WWDA) CEO Sophie Cusworth stressed that the extension must be used for genuine consultation, not just minor adjustments. The government maintains that the reforms are necessary to curb the NDIS's rapid growth, now exceeding $50 billion annually, and to restore its "social licence" by cracking down on fraud. However, critics argue these changes are dangerous and will negatively affect vulnerable individuals.

The amendments … do not resolve WWDA's broader concerns about the bill. The central issue is whether these reforms wi

— Sophie CusworthCEO of Women with Disability Australia, commenting on the secured amendments and ongoing concerns.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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