New disability support will not start in 2025, despite Labor promise

Federal health minister Mark Butler this week promised Labor’s plans for new disability support services were “on track”. The state governments in charge of delivering them don’t agree.

State premiers have poured cold water on the Albanese government’s promise to roll out new disability support this year — with an inked deal a long way off.

After committing $1.6bn in Commonwealth funding for public hospitals for an interim one-year deal, Health Minister Mark Butler reassured Australians they were “on track” to receive new “foundational support” this year.

Last year the federal government announced it would put states in charge of helping Australians who live with a disability but do not qualify for the NDIS through new foundational support services in schools and healthcare facilities.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The plan was states would take on what was traditionally a federal responsibility in exchange for more money for public hospitals.

It was a nice win-win that would bring the ballooning NDIS into better shape.

Exceot no deal has been finalised. And it’s unlikely one will be before a federal election — due in May.

Mr Butler on Thursday said they were “on track” to start later this year — they are due to begin on July 1 — when asked how the deal was progressing.

“That is on track. They’re proceeding very well,” he said.

Asked to confirm when the foundational support would start, newly-minted NDIS Minister Amanda Rishworth referred the Telegraph to Mr Butler’s comments.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But state sources told the Saturday Telegraph there is no way an agreement will be reached before Anthony Albanese is due to head to the polls in May this year.

Tasmanian Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who is the Chair of the Council for the Australian Federation, said negotiations would continue “across 2025”.

”States and territories have reached an interim one-year agreement with the Commonwealth, with negotiations to continue on longer-term arrangements across 2025,” he said.

”Timing for the implementation of new Foundational Supports will be confirmed when longer-term agreements are reached,” he said.

Originally published as New disability support will not start in 2025, despite Labor promise