24 July, 2012
NDIS AND COAG
Tomorrow represents an important opportunity for the Prime Minister to demonstrate her Government’s bona fides in relation to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Already, the Commonwealth has budgeted $2.9 billion less over the forward estimates for the NDIS than the Productivity Commission said was necessary.
The Government has departed from the Productivity Commission’s schedule and funding profile with no commitment as yet to fully implement the NDIS by the Commission’s target date of 2018-19.
There can be no NDIS without the agreement of the States and Territories. The Prime Minister needs to treat them as partners.
The States and Territories bring enormous good will towards the NDIS and the resources they already commit to disability.
To date the States have found the Commonwealth reluctant to talk details. The Prime Minister needs to bring a different attitude to the table.
The Productivity Commission has provided the best road map so far for achieving an NDIS. The Prime Minister needs to explain any departure from it.
The Federal Opposition reiterates its call for the Prime Minister to accept the proposal to establish a joint parliamentary committee to be chaired by both sides of politics to oversee the implementation of the NDIS and to ensure it remains beyond partisanship.