Butler's NDIS Changes: States Fight Back

0:00It's April 23rd, this is Adelaide News Today, Powered by AI, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler just dropped major changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, aiming to trim costs on the $50 billion program. New eligibility rules mean about 160,000 people could shift off in the IS roles. States and territories now face greater funding duties for disability care. Earlier this week, Butler laid it out at the National Press Club, stressing the need to rebuild local support systems outside the federal scheme. State leaders head back hard, calling out the lack of briefing and warning they cannot absorb the extra load without massive spending. Queensland's Disability Services Minister slammed it as unfair blame, shifting after years of federal oversight. Western Australia's premier and others like New South Wales and Tasmania, echoed the frustration, supporting reforms for real needs but not at their expense. They worry current state services cannot match NDIS levels right away.

1:01Negotiations continue between federal and state governments to soar funding shares and protect essential supports, keeping the scheme's core purpose. Alive for those who truly need it.