National Disability Insurance Scheme

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services.

Leave granted.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: As the minister would be aware, block funding agreements for disability support providers is coming to an end for many organisations in March 2019, a little over four weeks away. My question to the minister is: what work has the minister undertaken to ensure no organisation or South Australian living with a disability is left behind as the date for block funding comes to an end?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:30): I thank the honourable member for her question. Once again, the Labor Party doesn't have its facts correct. I don't think they understand the basis of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which is that, previously, state and territory governments have provided annual block funding to non-government organisations and other service providers to provide services to clients. As those clients transition to the NDIS, my department reduces funding on a pro rata basis. Organisations have been aware of this situation for many, many years. These are the arrangements that were signed under the previous government bilateral agreement. Premier Jay Weatherill—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Premier Jay Weatherill—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister, just wait until they finish their conversation. Are we ready to go, to listen to the minister? Minister.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The Labor Party's grasp of this issue is just woefully embarrassing. Everybody knows that this is the arrangement; that as clients transition to the NDIS funding to non-government organisations will reduce on a pro rata basis. The honourable member has her facts incorrect in terms of the date. We expect to be at full transition at 30 June this year. All things having been transitioned, then that is the date of the end of it.

The PRESIDENT: Are we seeking a supplementary, the Hon. Ms Bourke?