Proposed NDIS legislation could increase domestic violence risks and leave participants in unsafe, isolated environments, disability advocates warned during a Senate inquiry. The draft laws aim to save $38 billion over four years by cutting social and community participation budgets by 50 percent to ensure the $50 billion scheme’s sustainability.
Why is the government proposing NDIS budget cuts?
The federal government is seeking to make the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) more sustainable. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the program was growing at 22 per cent annually, a rate he noted cannot be maintained for any program to have a future.
According to the government, the sweeping changes address concerns that the scheme was growing faster than Medicare, contained structural deficiencies, and was being exploited by criminals. The proposed cuts to social and community participation, alongside a 10 per cent reduction to capacity-building budgets, are expected to account for roughly one-third of the $38 billion in projected savings over the next four years.
What are the safety risks identified by advocates?
Disability advocates warned that cutting community participation budgets—which fund support workers for outings, appointments, and work—could lead to increased isolation. Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess told the Senate inquiry that the worst abuse of people with disability often occurs in closed or isolated environments.
Sophie Cusworth, chief executive of Women With Disabilities Australia, stated that community participation acts as a safeguard for women. She warned that if these supports are reduced, the risk of domestic violence increases because isolation makes abuse easier to hide.
Ms. Cusworth also noted that the bill could shift greater responsibility onto families, particularly mothers. She argued that many families are already at a “breaking point” due to inadequate support.
“That’s how they become vulnerable. They end up in either closed environments or isolated environments, and they are at risk of violence, abuse and exploitation,” Ms. Kayess said.
What happens if the legislation is passed?
If the proposed changes are passed, approximately 300,000 people could be removed from the NDIS or prevented from accessing it over the next four years. To address this, states and territories have agreed to set up new services, including the Thriving Kids program for children with developmental delay and autism.
The Thriving Kids program is expected to roll out progressively from October this year. NDIS Minister Mark Butler told reporters in Queensland that he is “very confident” that systems will be in place within 18 months.
However, Ms. Cusworth told the inquiry that the bill proceeds as though an alternative system is ready, which she claims is not the case. The Senate inquiry is expected to hear from the Department of Health, Disability and Aging tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific budget cuts are being proposed?
The proposal includes a 50 per cent cut to social and community participation budgets and a 10 per cent reduction to capacity-building budgets.
How much money does the government hope to save?
The changes are part of a plan to achieve $38 billion in projected savings over the next four years.
What is the Thriving Kids program?
It is a program for children with autism and developmental delay that states and territories are developing as an alternative to NDIS supports.
How should the government balance scheme sustainability with the safety of vulnerable participants?
