Big states can't agree on NDIS trials

26 Jul 2012, 6:39 am   -   Source: AAP
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South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT have agreed to trial the National Disability Insurance Scheme, but the big states are yet to sign on.

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she's disappointed the biggest states did not agree to trial the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) but believes it can still succeed.

Labor governments in South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT agreed to part-fund trials of the NDIS starting in 2013 or 2014, following talks at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Canberra on Wednesday.

Western Australia, Queensland, NSW and Victoria failed to reach deals on the scheme, from which about 400,000 Australians are expected to benefit.

Ms Gillard said many people living with disabilities would "go to bed uncertain" that the system would be improved.

"I am very disappointed that we have not been able today to strike an agreement with either NSW or Victoria or indeed Western Australia on hosting a launch site," she told reporters.

The lack of a deal - which would cost NSW an extra $70 million and Victoria $40 million - meant 15,000 people would miss out on the benefits of the scheme, which was worth $300 million in federal funds to NSW and $100 million to Victoria.

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said he remained committed to the scheme but needed more time to assess the latest offer.

"That doesn't diminish in any way from our commitment to a NDIS or to the enthusiasm to which we would embrace a trial," Mr Baillieu said.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said he was disappointed a deal could not be struck on a trial in his state and on the entire national scheme.

"Until this (COAG) group signs up to a national disability insurance scheme we will not be fulfilling our obligations to people across this country with disabilities," Mr O'Farrell said, adding that he wanted to continue the talks.

Despite the setback, NSW Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance was seeking further talks with federal counterpart Jenny Macklin in Melbourne on Thursday, his spokesman told AAP.

Comment was being sought from Ms Macklin's office.

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, who will host one of the biggest trials, told AAP she would not be surprised if NSW and Victoria signed on within days.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said the NDIS had moved from an idea to "concrete steps".

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett, whose trial site bid was rejected, said it was an "opportunity squandered".

"With due respect to the three trials that have been set up, they are small-scale, they are in the small states," Mr Barnett said.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said much as he would like to put more funding into disability services he could not do so until he solved his state's budget woes.

Disability campaigner John Della Bosca said he was happy that the launch was proceeding but "a little bit disappointed that the launch isn't as extensive as we thought it might be".

Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Steve Hambleton said his body wanted the state governments that have not signed on to the NDIS to overcome their opposition and put the interests of people with a disability ahead of "political squabbling".

"The NDIS is an investment in the future and in the quality of the lives of people with disabilities," Dr Hambleton said.

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Your Comments

Gang of four

Mark - from Moonta, 10 months ago

How pathetic are these liberal leaders to disown people with disabillities in there states.They just want federal labor to fail and there mate abbott to win.Victoria a mere 40.000 n.s.w. a mere 70.000 it goes to show what a abbott gov will look like plenty of austerity for the poor And plenty of money for there rich mates.Problem is the public are to stupid to realize this.Cant do newman tells us queensland is like spain what a moroon.Thank god s.a. has a intelligent premier.

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