Bill Shorten says he’s under no pressure to slash NDIS costs

Bill Shorten says he is committed to making the NDIS sustainable and has outlined his plan to get the maligned scheme back on track.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten says he’s under no pressure to “slash and burn” the NDIS, despite flagging he had no plans to expand eligibility as part of a major reboot of the scheme.

Facing questions after a speech to the National Press Club on Tuesday, Mr Shorten conceded the scheme’s associated costs would continue to increase but the government was committed to making it sustainable.

The $35bn scheme is one of the biggest strains on the budget, with costs expected to rise significantly over coming years, yet Mr Shorten said he was interested in making the program as “strong and as sustainable as it can be”.

“And at no point have I come under any pressure from the Treasurer or anyone else to say that somehow we’ve got to slash and burn the NDIS to subsidise something else because that’s not the way the government thinks,” he said.

Seeking to hit the official reset button in what he called a “sort-of State of the Union speech”, Mr Shorten talked down suggestions the scheme would reduce its eligibility and stood by the decision not to include certain groups.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten addressed the National Press Club on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Some groups seek to be included where we have no plans to – that’s people who acquire their disability over 65, I understand that’s very difficult,” he said.

“But all sides of parliament said this scheme was for those aged under 65 … We’re not looking at adding a vast slab of people.

“And no, we’re not looking at slicing slabs of people off (either). We’re not looking at changing a whole lot of diagnoses … But I think there are some people not on the scheme who are missing out.”

Speaking to Sky News a short time later, Anthony Albanese said despite some projections that costs would increase out to $50bn over coming years, his government was committed to the longevity of the scheme.

“Our focus is on the delivery of appropriate services, and that is our entire focus,” the Prime Minister said.

“Now clearly, part of that has to be making sure that every taxpayer dollar goes to making a positive difference in people’s lives – that’s what we’ll be doing.

“The NDIS shouldn’t be seen as just a cost … It’s a very positive scheme.

“I can’t think of anyone better than Bill Shorten to deliver reforms to make sure that it achieves its objective on an ongoing basis.”

During his speech Mr Shorten outlined his six plans of reform for the NDIS to make it more sustainable for the future.

He said the government would work to increase the NDIA (Agency) workforce and specialisation; move to long-term planning so participants don’t need to prove their disability every six or 12 months; address spiralling costs; review supported independent living; target unethical use of NDIS funds and better integrate the NDIS with other community and mainstream supports.

He said he was under no pressure to ‘slash and burn’ the NDIS’ budget. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

He said a wide-ranging overhaul was necessary due to a decade of bad treatment of the scheme by Coalition governments of the past decade.

“The NDIS is something that we all, in Australia, can be proud of. But a decade of mismanagement means it’s in trouble,” he said.

“The NDIS outlived the Rudd-Gillard governments and the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison governments.

“Testament to the strength of reform, testament to the strength of community positivity. But there’s a difference between surviving and thriving.

“During the last nine years, the NDIS has been undermined by constant attack from a revolving door of disgraced Coalition ministers; the Coalition’s record of maligned neglect is appalling.”

He said there was a commitment to improving the outcomes for participants and making sure dollars invested stretched further.

“If you are an Australian living with a disability, a family member of a person with disability, or a carer, I want to say something to you right now – the National Disability Insurance Scheme is here to stay. It is not going away. But, and this is important, we do need to get it back on track,” he said.