Annastacia Palaszczuk caught playing politics on NDIS deal

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been called out for playing politics with the $22bn NDIS.

Minister for Social Services Christian Porter has criticised Queensland’s Premier for playing politics over the NDIS.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been called out for playing politics with the $22 billion National Disability ­Insurance Scheme after her government held up the signing of an agreement and then tweeted a picture of the event before the federal government had even seen the paperwork.

The bilateral agreement, which governs how the state proceeds to the full rollout of the NDIS over the next few years, has been delayed in Queensland because the government did not have the money to phase in 90,000 participants equally over three years from July.

Ms Palaszczuk has demanded early access to the Medicare Levy fund, contrary to an understanding of how the money was to be used, but the federal government would not hand over the cash unless a governance overhaul was put in place.

Two agreements came and went, the two parties negotiating on a third, which the federal government privately indicated it was prepared to back.

Yesterday, Ms Palaszczuk and Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke used the ­signing of their side of the deal to play politics. “I know how ­important the NDIS is,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “Queensland is ready for the NDIS, but with the scheme due to start rolling out in less than four months we need Malcolm Turnbull to come on board.”

Federal Social Services Minister Christian Porter criticised the state. “The commonwealth has reached agreements with NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. In each case an orderly and co-operative process was followed to ensure an outcome that would best benefit people living with disability,” he told The Australian.

“In no previous case has a state or territory sought to conclude an agreement by sending the commonwealth a photo of the premier signing a document before the document was sent to the commonwealth. If Queensland is willing to sign an agreement consistent with the terms provided to every other state and territory then the commonwealth welcomes that. I look forward to receiving ... the document Queensland’s Premier has signed.”