Details of NDIS secret deal must be revealed: Greens

2017-02-01

The Greens have called for the details of a secret deal signed between the WA and Federal Governments on the National Disability Insurance Scheme to be released, saying it was rushed through before the looming State election and people with disability had not been consulted.

WA Greens candidate Alison Xamon said people with disability and their families were disappointed the government had signed this deal without first releasing the results of two trial site reviews.

“We are very disappointed that the government has signed this deal without revealing any detail, which has been shrouded in secrecy,” she said.

“What guarantees have we got that individual packages are not going to be worse than other Australians?

“People with disability and their families deserve to see reviews into the two trial sites, and we call for a complete transparency around that process.

“We also want to know how the decision was made that WA would cop such an unfair deal over administration costs.

“We demand that the services be co-designed with consumers and not left to large service providers to design the service.”

Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said she was deeply concerned that the deal was rushed through on the day WA goes into caretaker mode before the election.

“I’m really concerned its been rushed before we see the outcome of the process,” she said.

“We have a national scheme and that’s why its call the National Disability Insurance Scheme, so WA having its own version will undermine that process.

“There are still issues around portability across state lines which is a truly national scheme.

“I would urge Labor to commit to reviewing the bilateral agreement and look at not upholding this deal.”