Senate NDIS Inquiry Delayed Again as Government Savings Target and Reform Concerns Both Rise

A Senate inquiry into the federal government’s proposed overhaul of the $56 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme was delayed for a second time on Friday, casting doubt on the government’s plan to secure billions of dollars in savings. Treasury estimates show that a one-year pause in the reforms would erase about $17 billion in expected savings over the four-year forward estimates.

The changes are expected to remove at least 240,000 people from the scheme over coming years and shift many to replacement supports that have not yet been established.

Greens senator Jordon Steele-John criticised the delay after the government set an 11-day consultation window for disability organisations. “The government demanded that disabled people, their families and advocates rush to prepare submissions and evidence for the inquiry, yet it is now dragging its feet when it comes to publishing the findings,” he said.

The Greens are preparing a dissenting report that is likely to call for the legislation to be withdrawn.

The party argues that no participant should be removed until replacement supports are fully implemented, independently evaluated and proven effective, and it wants stronger protections against funding caps, automated decision-making and expanded ministerial powers.

Opposition NDIS spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh has not confirmed Coalition support for the bill. She told the ABC the Coalition would back a six-month inquiry to ensure reforms are well-targeted.

“We’ve heard those devastating stories at the inquiry where participants with profound disabilities said they were scared people were going to die, and that’s certainly not a message that I’m closing my ears off to,” she said. ” Health Minister Mark Butler said discussions with state and territory governments had been constructive.