Pocock and crossbenchers call Labor’s NDIS overhaul ‘too far, too fast’ in scathing Senate inquiry report
Greens say Labor’s reform set to ‘rip life-changing supports away from disabled people instead of raising additional revenue through taxing gas exports’ Cross-benchers have slammed the Albanese government’s proposed overhaul of the NDIS as going “too far, too fast” as the changes to curb the growth of the $52bn program appear set to pass the parliament as early as next week. The Greens and…
Labor's proposed overhaul of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has faced strong criticism from crossbenchers in the Senate, who have called the changes "too far, too fast". The Greens and independent senator David Pocock delivered scathing reports on the bill, warning that it will enable "blunt and indiscriminate cuts" to individual budgets supporting over 770,000 Australians with disabilities.
The government's plan aims to save $37.8 billion over four years by tightening eligibility criteria, subjecting participants to independent assessments from 2028, and giving the NDIS minister the power to reduce funding categories by up to 99%. Greens senator Jordon Steele-John said the proposals would be "devastating to the lives of disabled people and their families", adding that the government's choice to cut supports instead of raising revenue through taxing gas exports shows their priorities are wrong.
Coalition senators raised concerns about fraud and integrity within the NDIS, but the government is expected to secure support from the opposition to pass the bill in the Senate. Disability advocacy groups have warned that caring responsibilities will be shifted from the scheme to families, affecting women disproportionately.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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