Australia’s National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is concerned about recent statements by the Treasurer Joe Hockey regarding the NDIS.
NEDA President Mr Suresh Rajan suggested to all people concerned with this shift in language by the Abbot Government to contact their local Member or Senator. “Write to Senator Fifield, the Prime Minister and Treasurer Joe Hockey requesting their unfailing support for the scheme in its original format. Use social media and support the various coalface service delivery organisations that will take up this fight”.
NEDA President Suresh Rajan felt that recent statements by Treasurer Hockey concerning a blow out with regards to the costing of the NDIS and the possible rationalisation of the proposed roll out of the NDIS is at odds with the comments of other Government Ministers, in particular Assistant Minister Mitch Fifield, with responsibility for Disability.
NEDA CEO Dwayne Cranfield recently attended a speech given by Senator Fifield at the National Press Club in late November where he again stated both his and the Government’s commitment to the NDIS and its full roll out within the detailed timeline.
Senator Fifield was quoted as saying “In the words of the Prime Minister, the NDIS is an idea whose time has come.” He continued to say “for me and for this Government and for our Prime Minister, the NDIS is core Government business. It is a priority. Let me be clear, we will make the National Disability Insurance Scheme a reality”
The Senator was attending the National Disability Media Awards with an audience consisting of disability service providers and many representatives from the disability sector and various media outlets. This address was anticipated by the disability sector and seen as confirmation of the Governments full support of the NDIS as previously outlined.
One key statement by Senator Fifield was “Fact: The Coalition is honouring the agreements between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories. This was always our intention”
He continued “We must not leave Australians with disability wondering about whether reform of the magnitude of the NDIS will be able to stand the test of time. We need to give them certainty that the services provided to them under the NDIS will be here to stay. That is what everything I do in relation to the NDIS is about. The Government believes that the full implementation of the NDIS across Australia will be nothing short of a new deal for people with disabilities and their carers”