28 November, 2012
NDIS: NO MONEY, NO BIPARTISANSHIP
The Government today again refused to provide funding certainty for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Finance Minister Senator Wong was asked by Senator Fifield in Senate Question Time if the Government would provide funding certainty for the NDIS when the NDIS legislation is introduced to the Parliament tomorrow.
Senator Wong gave no commitment.
Legislation to establish the NDIS is a hollow gesture without funding certainty.
Tonight’s National Disability Awards in Canberra would be an appropriate occasion for the Prime Minister to answer the question the Finance Minister ducked.
The Coalition reiterates its offer to the Government to support the establishment of a non-partisan joint parliamentary committee, chaired by both sides of politics, to oversee the implementation of the NDIS.
A cross-party oversight committee would elevate the NDIS beyond partisanship.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Senator Jan McLucas, told the Senate today that a non-partisan NDIS oversight committee was a “bad idea”.
The Government pays lip service to NDIS bipartisanship, but continues to reject each proposal to give it meaning.