Garth Hamilton responds as Toowoomba mum of son with autism, ADHD slams National Disability Insurance Scheme

Robyn Vahua dedicates a huge chunk of her week just trying to prove to the NDIS that her son has a disability and needs funding. Now she’s worried he won’t be able to keep living with her.

Robyn Vahua has an 11 year old son with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Picture: Nev Madsen.

UPDATE: Groom MP Garth Hamilton has defended the Federal Government’s handling of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, arguing local participants were more than $15,000 better off than the national average.

His comments come after a Toowoomba mother slammed the NDIS for what she said was a failure to fund her son’s plan properly.

Mr Hamilton said more than 4100 residents were on the scheme in Groom, with an average package of nearly $85,000.

“The average NDIS participant plan budget in Groom is $84,500, substantially higher than the national average of $68,500,” he said.

“Crucially, this funding means that NDIS participants are provided the supports they need to achieve their goals, both at home and in our community.

“This year alone the Morrison Government is investing $29 billion into the scheme nationally, and more than $142 billion over the next four years.”

Mr Hamilton also denied Labor’s claims the scheme’s funding had been cut.

“There are no cuts to the NDIS as falsely claimed by Labor. In fact, overall NDIS funding has increased year on year under the Morrison Government,” he said.

“Labor cannot be trusted to properly run the NDIS.

“It’s concerning that Labor calls for political interference in NDIS agency decisions, and to undermine its independent decision-making based on specialist advice.”

EARLIER: Robyn Vahua might not be able to keep her 11-year-old son Aristotle at home, because the National Disability Insurance Scheme doesn’t believe he deserves funding for his complex conditions.

“He is at risk of being removed from home because of his behavioural issues towards other family members,” she said through tears.

“We keep getting our funding cut, and I don’t want to lose my child, he should stay with me.”

The Toowoomba mum was one of dozens of carers and participants who attended a special NDIS forum on Wednesday hosted by former opposition leader Bill Shorten and Labor’s Groom candidate Gen Allpass.

Ms Vahua, whose son has autism, ADHD and behavioural issues, said she gave up her full-time job to dedicate the time needed to get Aristotle into doctor’s appointments and fill out reports to prove he needed support.

To date, his package is just $7000, which barely covers his in-home care.

“We actually have reports from psychologists, psychiatrists, family doctors, which all say that he needs in-home help,” Ms Vahua said.

“They constantly want proof, so every year I pay thousands of dollars to be sent through to the NDIS.

“It is hell, I’m not going to lie. Every time I hear the words NDIS report, my whole body shuts down because I don’t want to deal with them.

“I had to step down from a management position because of the time I had to take to prove my son’s conditions.”

(from left) Bill Shorten, Robyn Vahua and Gen Allpass. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Mr Shorten, the ALP’s NDIS spokesman, said Toowoomba participants on the scheme were having their plans slashed and were unable to spend a quarter of what they were given due to what he said was government incompetence.

“There are 6500 people who receive payments from the NDIS because they have severe or permanent impairments,” he said.

“The problem is these packages are getting cut.

“While people in this region are getting about $74,000 on average in their plans, what we’re discovering is they’re only able to spend about 74 per cent of that.

“The Morrison Government gives them money, but because of red tape and the poor administration of the scheme, the money is imaginary, it’s fictional.”

Mr Shorten said the Federal Government should focus on predatory providers who were over-charging and defrauding the system, rather than going after participants.

“I would stop persecuting the people on the scheme, and I’d take some of the red tape out of it and I’d go after the defrauders and sharks.”