Disability advocates voice concern over contentious NDIS reform bill
Disability advocates say they are concerned that reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme will make life more difficult for people with disabilities, their families and those in the sector. The new legislation – called Getting the NDIS Back on Track – contains the most significant changes to the scheme since it started a decade ago.
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“Over the past six years, the idea of a National Disability Insurance Scheme has found a place in our nation’s hearts.”
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In 2013, the creation of the NDIS brought tears to then Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s eyes.
But today, it’s distress from the disability community, including Marayke Jonkers, President of People with Disability Australia.
“You call me right (now) watching the bill pass of (and) wiping, tears of mascara off my face at the last second.”
The Senate has passed the Getting the NDIS Back on Track bill – aimed at reducing the soaring costs of the scheme.
From the government’s point of view, the scheme has become financially unsustainable.
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten says that needs to be addressed.
“The aim is to be able to assure people on the Scheme it’s there for the future that it’s fair, equitable and transparent.”
But Ms Jonkers believes the changes are a backward step for people with a disability.
“It’s really, really emotional, because we fought for decades to have the NDIS, to have those rights, to have the freedom, to have the choice and control to live a life the same as every other Australian.”
Currently costing about $46 billion a year, the scheme was expected to surpass the cost of Medicare within two years unless there were changes.
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