Disability not ignored, Turnbull insists

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says his new social services minister will have responsibility for disability amid mounting criticism.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull insists his government is committed to the national disability insurance scheme. (AAP)

Malcolm Turnbull insists his government is committed to the national disability insurance scheme, even though there is no specific disability portfolio in his new ministry.

"The government's policy on the NDIS is absolutely unchanged, our commitment to it is unchanged," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

Labor argues people with impairments and their carers should have ministerial representation.

Former disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes says people with disability make up a major part the population and deserve a minister of their own.

Mr Turnbull says they haven't been ignored, with disability included in Christian Porter's wide-ranging social services portfolio.

He dismissed criticism his government was not focused on the NDIS, saying his first official act on the job was to sign bilateral agreements with NSW and Victoria.


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Source: AAP


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