NDIS boss Rebecca Falkingham sick with breast cancer, as new acting CEO announced

Another acting boss of the NDIS - the second in six weeks - has been named and faces the wrath of providers clamouring to know who is behind a ‘disastrous decision’.

EXCLUSIVE: Disability providers are calling for more transparency about who is in charge of the beleaguered $48.5 billion-a-year NDIS after discovering two different stand-in executives have been at the helm in the last six weeks.

This masthead reported at the weekend that Rebecca Falkingham, CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which runs the scheme, is on sick leave.

In response to further questions, an NDIA spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday that Ms Falkingham, who is on more than $800,000 a year, has stage 3 breast cancer and that the NDIA Board has appointed Scott McNaughton as acting CEO.

Messages from a senior agency insider, seen by this masthead, show that since around June 23, Mr McNaughton has been in charge. His regular job is head of service delivery.

For three weeks prior to that Chief Operating Officer Sam Porter was at the helm.

The agency did not comment on Mr Porter.

Rebecca Falkingham commenced as CEO of the NDIA in October 2022. Picture: Supplied

Physiotherapist David Dinca, behind the campaign It’s Now or Never, set up in the wake of the NDIA announcing pay cuts and a pay freeze for providers for the sixth year in a row, said there has been a lack of transparency around leadership during what has been a turbulent time in the sector.

He said providers want clarity over who was in charge when the decision was made to cut or freeze pay for providers and what consultation occurred.

“We want transparency around who made the disastrous decision to cut pay and are these sound decisions considering the CEO has not been around and has been unwell?” Mr Dinca said.

Physiotherapist, David Dinca. Picture: Supplied

He said 56,000 people have signed a petition objecting to the pay cuts and pay freeze, and claimed the agency has allowed Ms Falkingham to become the scapegoat.

“It is shocking she has been left in the firing line,” Mr Dinca said. “She has taken the flak of 56,000 people.”

Mr Dinca said the decision in mid June has already led to a number of businesses closing, with more expected to follow.

National Disability Services CEO Michael Perusco said more than 10,000 participants, mostly children, have already been impacted by businesses closing because they’re no longer viable.

Along with allied health professions, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, the price freeze has impacted support co-ordinators and plan managers.

NDIS logo.

Disability Intermediaries Australia CEO Jess Harper said the NDIA’s decisions are forcing providers out of the sector, leaving “thousands of vulnerable people without critical support”.

He said, meanwhile, the agency itself has doubled in cost and size since 2022 but remains unaccountable.

When the NDIA announced the pay guide in June, it argued that participants were being charged ‘NDIS premiums’ – with some providers jacking up prices by up to 68 per cent.

Providers dispute the figures and claim the agency is comparing apples with oranges.

The NDIA Board – led by the chairman and Paralympian Kurt Fearnley – ultimately sets the price guide for providers, however senior executives from the agency make presentations prior to the decision being made.

An NDIA spokesman said senior leaders, including the acting CEO are continually engaging with a broad range of stakeholders regarding NDIS matters.

“The annual pricing review is determined by the NDIA Board, with prices adjusted to be in line with industry standards to ensure people with disability were not paying more for supports than other Australians,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as NDIS boss Rebecca Falkingham sick with breast cancer, as new acting CEO announced