News | 28 March 2019

Media release: Disability advocates say NDIS funds must be spent on people with disability

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Disability advocates are demanding the Morrison government use unspent money currently tagged for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to fix up the landmark scheme – instead of just returning it to government coffers.

Media reports today indicate next week’s Federal Budget will show that an estimated $2.5 billion currently underspent on the National Disability Insurance Scheme will just be returned to government coffers – instead of being used to support people with disability and their families.

“The Morrison government can’t build a budget surplus on the backs of people with disability and their families who are desperately in need of support,” said Kirsten Deane, Director of Every Australian Counts.

“The underspend in the NDIS is the direct result of problems with the way the scheme is rolling out. People are waiting too long to enter the scheme – and once they do enter they are waiting too long for the support they desperately need.

“We have been holding forums across Australia and talking to thousands of NDIS participants, their families and carers. We know this $2.5 billion is urgently needed to fix the scheme and get it working the way it should so people aren’t left waiting for three years to get a wheelchair.

“We have heard heartbreaking stories of people who have been left without vital equipment and ended up in hospital as a result. We have heard of families pushed to breaking point because they have been unable to get the help their child needs. We have heard of people hospitalised as a direct result of the stress they have been put under as they try and navigate their way through the red tape and bureaucracy.

“This absolutely cannot be allowed to continue. Urgent changes must be made to get the scheme working the way it should and finally get people the help they need.

“Everyone wants the NDIS to work. In fact people with disability, their families and carers, service providers are out there every day trying to make it work. But there are roadblocks at every turn.

“We are demanding the Morrison Government rethink their decision. Money that was allocated to the NDIS should be used to fix the scheme not bolster the budget bottom line. The lives of thousands of Australians with disability and their families are depending on it,” said Ms Deane.

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