Australians with autism could be removed from access to National Disability Insurance Scheme, says Murray Watt

Australians with autism could be removed from having access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme with resources to go to “those who most need support”, says Labor frontbencher Murray Watt. State and Territory leaders will meet for National Cabinet on Wednesday with a big focus of the meeting to be on reforming the $42 billion NDIS program, which has grown about 20 per cent a year over the past three years. The Commonwealth has previously flagged it wants States to do more to support children with autism and developmental delays — the major cohort driving the scheme’s rapid growth. Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the Albanese Government was proud of the Labor creation but it needed to be sustainable in the long-term. “What we need to do is make sure that the resources are targeted at those who most need support,” Senator Watt told Sky News. “There are thousands of Australians who depend upon the NDIS for a decent quality of life, and with that we are absolutely committed to maintaining that. “At the same time, we do need to recognise that the cost of the NDIS is increasing substantially higher than it was ever expected to and we do need to manage that responsibly.” Labor has set a target of halving the scheme from its current annual growth of about 15 per cent to 8 per cent to make it feasible in the future. The NDIS provides funding to people with autism but not everyone is eligible. When asked if those with autism and ADHD could become ineligible for the scheme, Senator Watt said it was a matter that needed to be negotiated by Labor and National Cabinet. “(The NDIS) is being increased at an incredibly high rate and it’s something that for budget discipline, we do need to manage sensibly,” he said. “One of the issues we have is that over time, we have seen all of the costs for providing services to people with disability moving increasingly towards the NDIS and away from things like schools and transport and other things, which the States have traditionally funded.” Plans to urgently fix the NDIS could be in turmoil after State treasurers on Friday refused to consider major reforms unless the Federal Government agreed to permanently extend GST top-up payments. The payments — agreed as part of the 2018 deal that guaranteed WA’s GST floor — are due to expire in 2026-27. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has guaranteed WA’s GST floor will be protected but doesn’t want to make a call on the “no worse off” payments until a Productivity Commission review due in 2026. That has left the other States starting at the prospect of losing a combined $5 billion each year — if the deal isn’t extended.