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This week will see sector anger turn into a concrete parliamentary case, warning the bill risks harm unless rights, review, human oversight and operational alternatives are locked in before supports are removed.

Media coverage is splitting the reform argument in two: fiscal leverage in Canberra and lived consequence in families fighting the NDIA for support the Government says it is trying to protect.

Why this matters: The sharpest pressure is now coming from the gap between the Government’s promise to protect people with permanent and significant disability and its need to find money to fund other budget promises.

Data Watch: The AFR reports Labor insists a one-year delay of NDIS reform will cost almost $17 billion over four years.

Bottom line: Attention remains on the opposition to discover if it will finally decide to wave the NDIS changes through as part of the budget. NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister suggests she’d had some positive discussions on this issue.

McAllister says NDIS delay would have significant Budget consequences

NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister told Sky News the Government’s NDIS legislation was aimed at long-term Scheme sustainability and the consequences of delaying the bill would be significant. She says the opposition’s engaging with the bill and discussed the Government’s plan to build supports outside the Scheme.

Department of Health, Disability and Ageing | Senator Jenny McAllister, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Senate NDIS bill inquiry moves from submissions to hearings

The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee lists the first hearing for 9 June and the reporting date as 16 June.

Parliament of Australia

PWDA warns NDIS overhaul will cause widespread harm

People with Disability Australia links NDIS cuts to government modelling, social and community participation cuts, and concern that Parliament is being asked to pass major changes before replacement systems and safeguards are operating.

People with Disability Australia

PWDA submission says the NDIS bill undermines the Scheme’s core purpose

PWDA has published its submission to the Senate inquiry into the NDIS Bill, arguing changes would alter eligibility, access and day-to-day supports, and calls for stronger safeguards, transparency, independent review rights.

People with Disability Australia

“Significant” consequences to delays in passing NDIS reforms: McAllister

News.com.au reports Senator Jenny McAllister’s warning that delays to the Government’s NDIS reforms would have significant consequences. The public article links the NDIS bill to savings, Coalition negotiations, fraud concerns and the Government’s argument that the Scheme must be made sustainable.

news.com.au | Paywall: No

Today’s News Headlines: Coalition engaging with NDIS reforms

Sky News reports the Disability Minister says the Coalition is engaging constructively with Labor on planned NDIS reforms. [note: video]

Sky News | Paywall: No

Six-year-old Sienna’s parents have fought the NDIS every year of her life for funding that keeps her alive

The Guardian reports on the parents of a six-year-old girl with severe cerebral palsy who say they have appealed every NDIS plan she has received, including a case involving attempted cuts to overnight nursing care. The story details the family’s tribunal battle, the NDIA’s appeal to the Guidance and Appeals Panel, and reported external legal costs of more than $339,000 for the most recent matter.

The Guardian | Paywall: No

Coalition’s NDIS threat would cost budget billions: Labor

The Australian Financial Review reports the Government’s warning that a one-year delay to the NDIS savings package would cost the Budget almost $17 billion over four years. The story places the NDIS bill inside the Coalition’s broader tax and Budget fight with Labor.

Australian Financial Review | Paywall: Yes

Ex-Macquarie banker has a bold plan to fix the NDIS

The Australian Financial Review reports on Macquarie banker-turned-social entrepreneur Michael Traill’s proposal for a major overhaul of the NDIS. The publicly visible preview frames the proposal as a structural intervention into how the Scheme works, rather than a narrow argument about individual supports.

Australian Financial Review | Paywall: Yes

Big charity wants to take over the NDIS

The Australian Financial Review reports that a major charity is proposing to take over elements of NDIS delivery as the Scheme becomes central to the federal Budget savings task. Public preview material says the Budget booked $37.8 billion in NDIS savings over four years.

Australian Financial Review | Paywall: Yes

Canberra wheelchair user anxious about Mark Butler’s NDIS cuts

The Canberra Times reports local concern from a Canberra wheelchair user about Mark Butler’s NDIS changes. Public metadata indicates the story is framed around participant anxiety about the practical consequences of the proposed cuts.

Canberra Times | Paywall: likely

‘Thought I was gonna die’: Neighbours living in fear of NDIS patient who brutally attacked nurse

A Current Affair reports neighbours are frightened by an NDIS participant who brutally attacked a nurse. Public preview material frames the story around community safety, neighbour concern and the need for appropriate management of a participant who is described as a danger to himself and others.

Nine | Paywall: No

Labor launches costings broadside from Budget back foot as Coalition threatens pulling NDIS change support

The Nightly reports Labor has accused the Coalition of threatening the Budget bottom line while the Opposition considers withholding support for NDIS legislation. The story says the Coalition is threatening to withhold support for separate NDIS eligibility legislation if Labor pushes through its tax changes with Greens support.

The Nightly | Paywall: No

Warnings NDIS cuts will cause isolation and loneliness

ABC’s The World Today reports warnings that changes to social and community participation supports could leave people with disability more isolated. The program says government modelling shows the impact is likely to fall most heavily on Australians with Down syndrome, psychosocial disability and visual impairment.

ABC listen | Paywall: No

NDIS watchdog failures leave vulnerable participants at risk

The Herald Sun reports serious safeguarding concerns about vulnerable NDIS participants, including people with psychosocial disability, intellectual disability and drug addictions.

Herald Sun | Paywall: Yes

NDIS participants lured away from homes for $1m plans

The Herald Sun reports vulnerable NDIS participants have allegedly been lured from homes and hospital beds by providers chasing access to large plans.

Herald Sun | Paywall: Yes

Children’s disability workers to be axed as NDIS changes loom

The Sydney Morning Herald reports children’s disability workers are set to be axed as NDIS changes loom.

Sydney Morning Herald | Paywall: likely

New NDIS laws target $3b fraud with sweeping investigator powers

The Daily Telegraph reports proposed new NDIS laws would target fraud with expanded investigator powers.

Daily Telegraph | Paywall: Yes

NDIS reforms: Families fear return to ‘revolving door’ of care

The Australian reports families of children with severe disability are worried proposed NDIS registration and service restrictions could force them away from trusted sole traders and back towards larger agency models with less consistent care.

The Australian | Paywall: Yes