NDIS Reforms: States Push Back on Cost-Cutting Measures

0:00It's April 21st, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Sydney News Today, local news powered by AI. State and territory treasurers just got a briefing on upcoming NDIS reforms, but they say it was short on real details. The national disability scheme is blowing up in cost, projected to hit $100 billion a year by 2036 if nothing changes. Tomorrow, NDIS Minister Mark Butler drops new savings measures at the National Press Club to slow that growth. Queensland is digging in against the key plan called thriving kids, which would shift kids with mild or moderate autism out of the NDIS into a state run. Program, they worry federal funding won't cover the full bill, and it sets a launch in just six months without full buy-in. States like New South Wales and Western Australia want to team up with the feds, but stress no one gets left without supports. Premier Chris Men's warned against kicking people off the NDIS only for states to pick up the tab from the same taxpayer pot.

1:00Opposition figures are calling its secret cuts, leaving families in the dark. Disability advocates, including people with disability of Australia, are pushing back hard, saying every dollar in NDIS pumps $2.25. Sense into the economy and lets folks work and join communities. They want fixes to waste, not slash eligibility. Expect talk of tighter provider registration to cut rorts in the $50 billion scheme. State ministers get their own briefing post-speech, so tomorrow's announcement could shift the whole game on these reforms.