AFDO responds to Minister Butler’s Press Club Address on the NDIS

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) and its members fully support the NDIS and the profound improvements it has made to the lives of many participants.

However, we are concerned about the ongoing emphasis on reducing supports for people with disability within the scheme, particularly for young people with disability.

We acknowledge Minister Butler’s focus on sustainability, fraud prevention and improved provider regulation. These are important reforms to build trust and ensure taxpayer value, but they must never come at the expense of people with disability who rely on the scheme.

AFDO also highlights that we are still waiting for the implementation of foundational supports, which were agreed to by the Government but have again been delayed. These supports are essential for the 4.8 million Australians with disability who are not part of the NDIS, and their continued absence leaves too many without the help they need to live independently and thrive.

AFDO calls on the Government to:

• Guarantee that no participant or family loses support during the transition to new programs.

• Co-design the Thriving Kids program and all reforms with people with disability and their representative organisations.

• Deliver foundational supports as a matter of urgency to provide a fairer, more inclusive system for all Australians with disability.

• Ensure reforms strengthen, rather than weaken, the rights and choices of people with disability.

• Commit to transparent, independent oversight of reform to safeguard outcomes over cost-cutting.

Ross Joyce, CEO of AFDO, said:“The NDIS has changed lives, and AFDO is committed to working with government to secure its future. But reforms must protect the rights of people with disability, not reduce the supports they depend on.”

Grant Lindsay, President of AFDO, said:“Foundational supports are long overdue. They are critical for the millions of Australians with disability outside the NDIS, and it is essential that the Government delivers on this promise without further delay.”

The NDIS has transformed lives. AFDO and its members stand ready to work with government to secure the scheme’s sustainability while finally delivering on the promise of foundational supports that Australians with disability outside the NDIS have been waiting too long to see.