Qld premier's refusal to fund NDIS 'callous': Swan

28 Jul 2012, 5:09 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has renewed his attack on Queensland premier Campbell Newman over his refusal to fund a NDIS trial. (AAP)

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has renewed his attack on Queensland premier Campbell Newman over his refusal to fund a NDIS trial. (AAP)

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has renewed his attack on Queensland premier Campbell Newman, calling him 'cold-hearted and callous' for refusing to fund a trial of the NDIS.

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Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has renewed his attack on Queensland premier Campbell Newman, calling him "cold-hearted and callous" for refusing to fund a trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The NSW and Victorian Liberal governments on Friday bowed to public pressure and agreed to meet federal funding benchmarks to host trial sites for the multi-billion dollar NDIS.

Mr Newman is still refusing to meet the benchmarks, saying the state can't afford it.

Mr Swan, who described the Queensland premier as "irresponsible" during the week, fired another broadside on Saturday, saying he had never seriously considered a national disability insurance scheme.

"I don't believe he's fair dinkum about doing something to assist Queenslanders with disabilities and Australians with disabilities," he told reporters in Brisbane.

"I call on him to put away the politics and to get stuck into working constructively with the federal government."

Mr Swan estimated an NDIS launch site in Queensland would set the state back an extra $20 million.

Mr Newman was "playing politics" with disability, he said, adding that the premier had made "quite a few mistakes" in the past week - referring to Mr Newman's comments comparing the Queensland economy to that of Spain.

"He made reckless statements about the Queensland economy, which were simply untrue - and very damaging - and I believe he's being cold-hearted and callous about people with disabilities as well," Mr Swan said.

"... It's really, really disappointing to see what Mr Newman and his government have been doing in this area.

"They're playing with people's lives. They ought to get serious.

"This is a serious national reform (and) they ought to come on board."

Mr Swan said Mr Newman was running a political campaign to hide his embarrassment over sacking 20,000 public servants.

"That's what this campaign's all about - hiding his embarrassment at repudiating his election commitments," Mr Swan said.


 

NDIS , Campbell Newman

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Your Comments

budvv

Marty - from perth, 10 months ago

Typical Swan big noting himself with other peoples money. Newman has told him Qld doesn't have the money. Unlike Swan he is not prepared to go overseas to borrow it just to make Swan look good. If labour hadn't squandered all the federal coffers then they wouldn't have to ask the states to fund it. Simple finances, you don't have the money, you can't spend it.

Fair Go

Hans - from Perth, 10 months ago

Has Wayne Swan forgotten who bankrupted Queensland? Newman is trying his best to get back on track and it would be very hard decisions for any one to make, the government should pay for the ndis in Queensland because they left the state in such bad shape, Newman should take great offence at Swans comments, I think that his comments were unfounded indeed, I think that Campbell Newman Cares very much about Disabillity but just can afford to put the state in more debt and risk depression.

Credentials please?

Alan Day - from Oxenford, 10 months ago

Wayne Swan has done nothing to show he can manage anything, certainly not our money. Campbell is tryin to turn around years of abuse by Labour governments, so I would place more trust in his assessment, than anything this Labour hack who now has a calculator, has to sprout. Back in your box Swan, give us the wealth of your knowledge WHEN you have done something aside from spend.

Beethoven

Steve Howes - from Bathurst NSW, 10 months ago

The states and territories already provide around $4.6 billion for services to the disabled so Campbell Newman is just playing a political game to the disadvantaged of disabled people and their careers. It was the Productivity Commission that reported that the current system is "underfunded, unfair, fragmented and inefficient." and it varies from state to state. The Gillard Government should be supported for bringing in a national scheme.

twenty million

Mark - from moonta, 10 months ago

Oh dear quennslanders voted a joe b p. clone in a one term premier i think.The deal was once the scheme is running the feds will fund it. Cant do newman just has to tell his ministers to cut back on cab charges and corporate meals for mates each year then he can fund the tiny amount of 5 million a year over a four year period or he could ask his mate C.palmer to donate it after all he allready gave cantdo 300 million for his campaighn Newman Pathetic Little man.

Mr

David - from Sydney, 10 months ago

Imagine that socialist moron Mr Wayne Swan passing judgement on anybody! All the money his federal government has squandered! He should have a hard look at his own actions first!

mr

peter thompson - from Brisbane, 10 months ago

I am glad that Campbell is trying to repay our substantial debts without increasing debts i do not think a rebuke from Wayne Swan is worth anything except maybe your on the correct track

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