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Advocates are winning the debate about the need for the NDIS, but they still can’t find a way to address the escalating cost of the scheme. That’s the vital gap in their argument.

The first day belonged to the advocates. Witness after witness told the Senate inquiry Labor’s NDIS Bill should be withdrawn, paused or rewritten. The old language of need remains strong.

But winning this argument doesn’t address the one vital issue - how to address the enormous blowout in the scheme’s cost.

Labor’s case is simple: it costs more than $50 billion and is growing too quickly. Whether they want to or not, the scheme’s supporters must find a formula capable of answering this budget problem while still keeping the scheme intact.

So far they haven’t.

The critical test is not winning three days of media headlines. It’s winning votes in parliament.

[continued on the abilityNEWS website]

Media reporting of the NDIS hearings landed heavily against the government. The ABC, SBS, Nine, Australian and Nightly all frame the reform around cuts, hurried process, and unsupported risk.

But News.com.au reports the Coalition will back the reforms if Labor releases detailed figures. This will turn the contest into a debate about financial evidence, not just outrage.

The government can survive three days of angry hearings if the Coalition stays open to a deal.

Data Watch: The hearings confirmed the changes would result in about 346,000 people either being removed from or prevented from accessing the scheme over four years. as reported by abilityNEWS last week.

Bottom line: Despite the intense backlash, the Albanese government appears just as firmly committed to passing the overhaul to secure the program's financial future. No compromise formula has yet appeared.

NDIS Bill hearings move from Melbourne to Canberra

The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee held its first public hearing in Melbourne yesterday and continues at Parliament House, Canberra today and tomorrow.

Australian Parliament House

PDA summarises Day 1 of the Senate inquiry

Physical Disability Australia’s Sarah McInnes reports on Day 1 of the NDIS hearings.

Physical Disability Australia

WWDA warns NDIS Bill will deepen gender gap

Women With Disabilities Australia says Labor’s NDIS reform Bill risks worsening existing gender inequality in the Scheme, with women making up about half of disabled Australians but only around a third of NDIS participants. Chief executive Sophie Cusworth warns the Bill could tighten access and shift people away before safeguards exist.

WWDA

The most contentious parts of the NDIS bill being scrutinised today

ABC News explains the most contentious elements of the NDIS Bill as Senate hearings begin, including ministerial powers, support reductions, automated decision-making and the speed of the process.

ABC News | Paywall: No

Disability advocates warn NDIS inquiry over reforms

SBS reports disability advocates sounded the alarm over sweeping NDIS changes as the Senate inquiry opened in Melbourne. The video says almost all witnesses called for amendments or delay, with some arguing the reset has not had enough consultation.

SBS News | Paywall: No

Families sound alarm over NDIS changes in inquiry

A Nine video report shows concerned families and disability advocates fear support will be cut under the proposed NDIS changes.

Nine | Paywall: No

NDIS inquiry warned changes could push families into crisis and towards child protection services

ABC News reports advocates told the first day of Senate hearings that the Bill could add to demand for child protection services.

ABC News | Paywall: No

Strong opposition to NDIS changes heard at Senate inquiry

SBS News reports the government faced strong backlash on the first day of the Senate inquiry into its NDIS reforms. The evening bulletin says the inquiry heard fierce opposition to the proposed changes.

SBS News | Paywall: No

Coalition to back NDIS reforms if Albanese government releases modelling

News.com.au reports the Coalition may back the government’s NDIS reforms if Labor releases detailed modelling. The public preview says the proposed reforms would save tens of billions of dollars over four years.

News.com.au | Paywall: No

Paralympian Marayke Jonkers blasts Labor's 'cruel' NDIS cuts

The Australian reports Paralympian Marayke Jonkers criticised the proposed NDIS cuts at the Senate inquiry. Other witnesses warned of harm, hospitalisations, deaths, chemical restraint concerns and sweeping ministerial powers.

The Australian | Paywall: Yes

NDIS reforms could leave women and families carrying disability care burden, advocates warn

The Nightly reports advocates warn cost-saving measures targeting the NDIS are likely to push responsibility back onto families, with women carrying most primary caring work.

The Nightly | Paywall: No

Australian Services Union launches historic pay rise push

News.com.au reports the Australian Services Union is launching a 35 per cent pay-rise claim for community and disability support workers, arguing pay has not kept pace with complexity, demand and responsibility.

News.com.au | Paywall: No