Crossbenchers Fight NDIS Budget Cuts

0:00It's April 7, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Sydney News today, local news powered by AI. Crossbench MPs are firing back at Labor's plan to slam the brakes on NDIS spending in next month's budget. The National Disability Insurance Scheme already costs $50 billion a year, and the government's eyeing a drop in growth from 10 percent, down to 5 or 6 percent to hit savings targets. Just like Monique Ryan, Kate Cheney, Zali Stegall, and Nicolet Boel are drafting a letter to ministers Mark Butler and Jenny McAllister right now. They're urging a pause until new supports like thriving kids for kids outside the scheme are fully running by 2028. NDIS users and advocates are sounding the alarm over the cost-focused talk. They say rushing changes creates fear and confusion, and denying support to just shifts bills to hospitals, age care, or families instead of saving. Real money Some big disability providers and labor MPs like Dr. Michelle Ananda Raja and Mike Freelander

1:03back an overhaul to zero in on the most severe needs, but critics slammed the lack of transparency with no full response yet to last year's NDIS review. This standoff highlights the tension between budget fixes and protecting vulnerable folks as cross-bentures push for no worse off rules and clearer. Plans before any cuts land