Rollout Of The NDIS Must Continue Without Delay

MELBOURNE, Vic., Australia, 19 October 2017 /PRNewswire Policy/ -- The Andrews Labor Government is calling for the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to continue without delay and is urging the Turnbull Government to fully fund the scheme.

The Victorian Government welcomes the Productivity Commission report into NDIS costs, which poses the challenge that we have to meet – that cannot be delayed beyond the 2020 schedule.

The report points to a number of failings of the rollout of the NDIS to date and it tells us what people with disabilities and workers have been telling us for some time – that the Federal Government has underfunded the scheme and the roll out is failing its promise for too many people.

Starving the NDIS of support has led to too many delays, has seen prices for services which are too low, too many inadequate plans, and not delivered in a supportive way – meaning the scheme's potential has often fallen short.

This is particularly the case for people with complex needs, mental health and other complex disabilities, as well as vulnerable community members from indigenous, regional and CALD communities.

The Victorian Labor Government has more than doubled our investment to deliver the NDIS to people with a disability. We're working tirelessly to support the National Disability Insurance Agency where we can, with an expert Intensive Support Team for people with complex needs.

We promised more than 100,000 people a better deal to a new type of support to improve their lives – and that's what we will deliver.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley

“This is the biggest social policy reform in a generation that will deliver the promise of an ordinary life to people with disabilities, their loved ones, carers and the community.”

“People with a disability and their families have waited long enough – Victoria calls on the Turnbull Government to fully fund the NDIS, and improve the price of services to ensure quality high skilled services are at the heart of this reform.”

“Despite the doom and gloom predicted by the nay-sayers – the Productivity Commission's report also recognises the success of the NDIS – where good plans, proper pricing, early investment and appropriate staff have seen high quality services delivered to people for the first time.”

SOURCE State of Victoria, Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing