In The Media | 18 August 2016

Government response to NDIS payment problems criticised by Labor

The Federal Opposition has seized on reports some disability service providers have gone without payments under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), suggesting the Government is dragging its feet and being secretive about a review into the problem.

Some providers have reported going up to eight weeks without receiving payment for their services.

It stems from a problem with the website established by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), with NDIS providers and participants having been unable to process their payment applications.

Earlier this month, Social Services Minister Christian Porter and Assistant Minister for Disability Services Jane Prentice announced a review into the technical issues.

Shadow disability services minister Jenny Macklin said providers were coming to her claiming they still had not been paid, and said the delay in fixing the issue was unacceptable.

“I think really what this is saying to all of us who care so much about the National Disability Insurance Scheme is that these delays have to be resolved as a matter of absolute urgency,” Ms Macklin said.

Source: ABC News