Government commits $83.9 million to improve NDIS ‘integrity’
Government Services Minister Bill Shorten has announced an $83.9 million boost to efforts aimed at stamping out fraud in the NDIS.
In a statement on Sunday, Mr Shorten hailed the move, saying the funds would be used to boost fraud-detecting IT systems and develop a new fraud case management system which would interact with other enforcement agencies.
The money, which will be added over the next two years, will go towards the Crack Down on Fraud program, a key feature of the Albanese government’s attempts at reforming the scheme and reigning in ballooning costs.
“One of the key Independent NDIS Review observations was concerns around integrity of the scheme. This is a critical area of reform because it’s our fellow Australians with a disability who suffer most from any fraud and exploitation in the NDIS,” Mr Shorten explained.
“The Crack Down on Fraud program includes a number of ICT improvements that will be implemented progressively and are designed to make it easier to get it right, and harder to get it wrong for everyone engaging with the scheme.
“This investment is not only about catching criminals who may target Australians living with disability, but also enhancing the systems we have in place to detect and prevent fraud and non-compliant activity.
“The Crack Down on Fraud program represents significant further progress in safeguarding the Scheme’s integrity, and will not only optimise NDIS resources, but will also ensure that honest participants who depend on the Scheme can be better supported into the future.”
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