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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-11-14 Daily Xml
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NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:33): I seek leave, in recognition of your tie, to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Disabilities a question relating to the NDIS.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: At a recent conference Dr Simon Duffy of the Centre for Welfare Reform wrote that 'as it is currently imagined, I think that Australia is in danger of building the world's worst system of individualised funding'. The removal of the state's delivery systems is one of the key concerns that Dr Duffy has identified in relation to the NDIS. My questions are:

1. Can the minister advise whether he has raised any concerns regarding the loss of established systems with his federal counterpart?

2. What assurance has the minister received from his federal counterpart that, once the state passes responsibility for disabilities to the federal government, the state will not be required to later contribute to provide further funding?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:34): I thank the honourable member for his important questions and, sir, I thank you for your sartorial elegance in the chamber today.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Well, I think the President and I must shop at the same elite establishments. I hope I got mine cheaper than you, Mr President; I probably did. Sir, I am aware that Dr Simon Duffy—for honourable members who are not aware, of course, that we wear the orange ties today to honour—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: And orange shoes and other accoutrements—

The Hon. K.L. Vincent interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: The Hon. Ms Vincent reminds me that the colour of her hair means that she honours the work of the SES every single day—every single day—and we do as well today, sir. Back to the question: I am aware that Dr Simon Duffy has published some feedback regarding the NDIS on his website. It is feedback that he actually passed on to me and, as I understand it, also to the federal minister.

Dr Duffy is an independent consultant, and has provided independent feedback on the NDIS, which is of course in the early stages of its development. As honourable members would expect, I will certainly take on board the comments made by Dr Duffy. The commonwealth is taking the lead on the development of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and a lot of the details are yet to be worked out—that is common knowledge—including the funding, governance and eligibility criteria, for example.

Negotiations between the states and the commonwealth continue, with COAG's Select Council on Disability Reform meeting in Canberra tomorrow to continue work on the NDIS launch preparations. I am also advised that, if there are some concerns about extra funding, as the honourable member asked in his question, those extra funding commitments will be borne by the commonwealth.

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