26 November, 2012
NDIS DRAFT LEGISLATION
The Coalition welcomes the release today of the draft National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Bill.
The legislation due to be introduced into the Parliament on Thursday should have been released for public comment as an exposure draft much earlier given the degree of community interest in the NDIS.
The Opposition will seek to refer the Bill to a Senate inquiry so people with disability, carers and other stakeholders can themselves review and comment on the legislation.
The issue the Government must address before the legislation is introduced this week is that of funding certainty for the NDIS.
Legislation without funding certainty would be an empty gesture.
The Government have only allocated a quarter of the money the Productivity Commission said was necessary for the first phase of the NDIS and has not allocated anything for after the launch sites.
The Opposition will carefully examine the Bill and consult with the sector.