More NDIS secret perks: Sorry Bill Shorten, you must stop this
So it turns out government bureaucrats have been enjoying some nice little perks too on the back of the NDIS. Things like secret golf trips, drinks and fancy meals. This has to end.
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Not only are criminals and fraudsters living the life of Riley off the back of the NDIS, but now it’s been revealed the scheme’s own government bureaucrats have been enjoying some nice little perks too.
Things like secret golf trips, drinks and fancy meals at some of Melbourne’s and Canberra’s best restaurants, all paid for by US-based IT company Salesforce and which happened over a period of about five years, before and after a lucrative government contract was secured.
What I want to know is who isn’t getting something off the back of this scheme, because it feels like it is only me?
According to a parliamentary committee report released on Wednesday evening, the National Disability Insurance Agency - which runs the NDIS - failed to disclose more than 100 instances of gifts and hospitality.
However, Salesforce subsequently provided written evidence of 100 instances. The IT giant won a three-year contract to provide a new customer relationship platform, known as the PACE system, worth $27 million in 2020.
By October last year, due to “significant changes in scope”, the contract had ballooned to $135 million.
Of course, it did, this is the NDIS, please help yourself.
If you thought that sum is eye watering, this week NDIS Minister Bill Shorten threw out some even bigger numbers to make taxpayers weep.
He is furious that the Coalition and the Greens have delayed the new NDIS legislation due to concerns about last minute amendments.
He is blaming the existing law for allowing people to claim supports on the NDIS that are not legitimate such as “crystal therapy, bariatric surgery, rent, washing machines, even birdseed and Wet’n’Wild tickets”.
Mr Shorten estimates that the cost of that to the taxpayer is $1m an hour.
In response to the vote delay he launched a website called outoftouchwithcostofliving.com which clocks in real time how much money is being rorted from the system.
Believe me, it’s depressing viewing. When I looked, it was already at $16m after 18 hours.
After hearing about fraudsters using the NDIS as an ATM to buy drugs, booze and fancy cars, I on behalf of the law-abiding masses just have one message for Bill Shorten, ‘You’re the one in charge, please make it stop’.
Editor’s note: Bill Shorten’s office contacted us and we are happy to clarify that after he took over the role of Minister for the NDIS in June, 2022, he was made aware of allegations of conflicts of interest in procurements in Services Australia and the NDIA in November, 2022 following a media report in another masthead. Following those allegations, Mr Shorten called for an investigation, which led to an inquiry.
More Coverage
Originally published as More NDIS secret perks: Sorry Bill Shorten, you must stop this
Cornes: The Bay Sheff gives mere mortals that elite athlete feeling
With its first winner recorded back in 1887, an iconic Glenelg race still gives participants the closest feeling to an elite athlete, writes Graham Cornes.
Bozempic, blockbusters and beauty trends: My hopes for 2025
We’re a quarter of the way through a new century that has galloped out of the blocks but it’s not too late for a little course correction, writes Angela Mollard.