McCORMACK WARNS UNDER-PRESSURE NDIS NEEDS REFORM

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is warning the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is starting to crack as Riverina and Central West recipients and carers are left struggling to get their issues resolved, all whilst the scheme faces ever-increasing cost blowouts.

 “In the first few months of this year alone, my office has received more enquiries and requests to help with the NDIS than in the entirety of 2023,” Mr McCormack said.

 “Participants are crying out, hitting brick walls when trying to contact the NDIS, causing further anxiety amidst this cost-of-living crisis.

 “People who are trying to access NDIS support already lead lives which are challenging enough — they don’t need it to be made harder by an agency which is being mismanaged by the Labor Government.

 “Don’t get me wrong — the NDIS staff are wonderful, doing their best to help those in need, but they’re being crippled by a poorly designed system and an inept Government.

 “I have heard instances of constituents, facing serious impairments, running out of money and forgoing vital services as they wait months for the NDIS to get around to process their application or conduct plan reassessments.

 “It’s simply not good enough. The system needs to change.

 “The NDIS is expected to cost the Australian taxpayer $42 billion this year and yet, despite this huge amount of money and resources, Labor has been unable get its act together and deliver value for money for either the taxpayer or NDIS participants.”

 According to calculations by the Australian Government Actuary, Guy Thorburn, by 2034 the NDIS is expected, as a conservative estimate, to more than double in cost to $125 billion per year.

 “It’s time NDIS Minister Bill Shorten looks at reviewing and reforming the NDIS. The current system simply cannot continue when our most vulnerable are losing out,” Mr McCormack said.

ENDS