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States reject leaked NDIS proposal they say would increase federal control States reject leaked NDIS proposal they say would increase federal control
(6 months later)
State and territory governments have decried what they say is an attempt by the commonwealth government to take carriage of the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS), saying the program is too important to be the subject of an “ideological attack”.State and territory governments have decried what they say is an attempt by the commonwealth government to take carriage of the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS), saying the program is too important to be the subject of an “ideological attack”.
Documents from a meeting of state and commonwealth disability ministers leaked on Monday showed proposals that would give the federal minister more power by removing the need for governance and compliance issues to be agreed by all parties.Documents from a meeting of state and commonwealth disability ministers leaked on Monday showed proposals that would give the federal minister more power by removing the need for governance and compliance issues to be agreed by all parties.
Related: Labor says Coalition 'undermining' NDIS over claims it cannot afford funding
Under the proposal, the NDIS Act would be amended so that enacting changes in key areas such as eligibility for the scheme and the content of individual plans would require consultation with states, rather than consensus.Under the proposal, the NDIS Act would be amended so that enacting changes in key areas such as eligibility for the scheme and the content of individual plans would require consultation with states, rather than consensus.
The hiring and firing of board members and advisory council members would also fall under the remit of the federal minister under proposed measures put to the states and territories.The hiring and firing of board members and advisory council members would also fall under the remit of the federal minister under proposed measures put to the states and territories.
The proposals were shot down by angry state and territory ministers.The proposals were shot down by angry state and territory ministers.
“The ACT government does not support any move to give the federal government more control over the operation of the national disability insurance scheme. The NDIS is a vital and revolutionary system of support for people with disability. This reform is too important to be the subject of any ideological or financial attack,” Australian Capital Territory minister Chris Bourke told Guardian Australia.“The ACT government does not support any move to give the federal government more control over the operation of the national disability insurance scheme. The NDIS is a vital and revolutionary system of support for people with disability. This reform is too important to be the subject of any ideological or financial attack,” Australian Capital Territory minister Chris Bourke told Guardian Australia.
New South Wales minister John Ajaka told Guardian Australia that helping people living with disability was a “top priority” for the state.New South Wales minister John Ajaka told Guardian Australia that helping people living with disability was a “top priority” for the state.
“Under the NSW government’s bilateral agreement, we are partners with the commonwealth in both funding and delivering the scheme. As a partner, we rightly expect a say in how the scheme operates,” Ajaka said.“Under the NSW government’s bilateral agreement, we are partners with the commonwealth in both funding and delivering the scheme. As a partner, we rightly expect a say in how the scheme operates,” Ajaka said.
Victorian minister Martin Foley told ABC Radio the commonwealth wanted greater control of the scheme so it could eventually whittle it back in order to recoup money.Victorian minister Martin Foley told ABC Radio the commonwealth wanted greater control of the scheme so it could eventually whittle it back in order to recoup money.
Related: Disability conference highlights costs of exclusion and opportunities for change
“It’s walking away from what has been a 20-year battle by people with disabilities,” he said.“It’s walking away from what has been a 20-year battle by people with disabilities,” he said.
Federal Labor said the changes had been proposed in order to sideline the states and territories.Federal Labor said the changes had been proposed in order to sideline the states and territories.
“There is a simple reason why the Turnbull government is trying to take complete control of the national disability insurance scheme. It wants the power to cut the scheme, change the eligibility of participants and delay its implementation,” Labor’s disabilities spokeswoman, Jenny Macklin, said.“There is a simple reason why the Turnbull government is trying to take complete control of the national disability insurance scheme. It wants the power to cut the scheme, change the eligibility of participants and delay its implementation,” Labor’s disabilities spokeswoman, Jenny Macklin, said.
The federal government has hit out at those claims.The federal government has hit out at those claims.
A spokesman for the social services minister, Christian Porter, said: “The government is committed to funding the NDIS and fully expects it to be delivered within budget.A spokesman for the social services minister, Christian Porter, said: “The government is committed to funding the NDIS and fully expects it to be delivered within budget.
“Given the complexity of this reform and the significant level of funding being invested, governments will continue to closely monitor scheme governance and scheme costs to ensure every dollar used is invested as efficiently and effectively as possible.“Given the complexity of this reform and the significant level of funding being invested, governments will continue to closely monitor scheme governance and scheme costs to ensure every dollar used is invested as efficiently and effectively as possible.
“Crucially, the government has no plans to make changes to rules around NDIS eligibility or what is considered reasonable or necessary supports. Claims to the contrary are completely false,” he said.“Crucially, the government has no plans to make changes to rules around NDIS eligibility or what is considered reasonable or necessary supports. Claims to the contrary are completely false,” he said.
Porter will introduce legislation as early as next week to expand the board of the NDIS by three spots, and extend its term beyond its current 30 June expiry date.Porter will introduce legislation as early as next week to expand the board of the NDIS by three spots, and extend its term beyond its current 30 June expiry date.
“The expansion of the board will deliver continuity as the NDIS starts its transition to the full scheme in July 2016. It will also ensure there is progressive exchange of knowledge and experience to enhance the development and governance of the scheme.”“The expansion of the board will deliver continuity as the NDIS starts its transition to the full scheme in July 2016. It will also ensure there is progressive exchange of knowledge and experience to enhance the development and governance of the scheme.”
Trial sites for the $22bn scheme are in operation in most jurisdictions, with rollout of the full scheme expected in some states, including NSW and Victoria, from July 2016.Trial sites for the $22bn scheme are in operation in most jurisdictions, with rollout of the full scheme expected in some states, including NSW and Victoria, from July 2016.
“The NDIS must be free of government interference and be allowed to proceed with the rollout as planned, in conjunction with people with disability,” the president of People with Disability Australia, Craig Wallace, said. “People with disability deserve certainty. We have waited long enough for the support system we need.”“The NDIS must be free of government interference and be allowed to proceed with the rollout as planned, in conjunction with people with disability,” the president of People with Disability Australia, Craig Wallace, said. “People with disability deserve certainty. We have waited long enough for the support system we need.”