Disability community holds nationwide rallies to protect the NDIS ahead of Senate vote

Disability advocates rallied in six Australian cities on 1 August against proposed cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, ahead of a Senate vote on the NDIS Amendment Bill scheduled for 14 August.

• The Protect Our NDIS Alliance organised events in Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Hobart, backed by close to 70 disability organisations.
• Organisers say the government’s proposed budget changes would cut $38 billion from the NDIS, including a 50% reduction in funding for social and community participation and a further 10% cut to capacity-building supports.
• Campaigners estimate roughly 241,000 current participants could be removed from the scheme and a further 106,000 people refused access if the bill passes as proposed.

Why it matters: The NDIS Amendment Bill is one of the most significant proposed changes to Australia’s disability support scheme since it began, and the 14 August Senate vote will determine whether these funding cuts go ahead.

Source: Medianet News Hub →