The Productivity Commission has recommended the doubling of disability support spending as well as the establishment of a $6 billion national insurance scheme for people with disabilities, SBS' Richard Davis reports.
Disability groups have applauded the plan, saying the insurance fund would remove anomalies that disadvantage the disabled and their carers.
"Today is the first step in making sure that people with a disability get the sorts of chances in life that every other Australian takes for granted," said John Della Bosca of the National Disability and Carers Alliance.
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At the moment, the level of support depends on where a person lives and how the disability was acquired.
The Productivity Commission's recommended a radical shake up, recommending the doubling of overall spending on disability support to $12 billion a year.
ut government spending will have to be cut - or a levy imposed - to pay for it.
"The commission believes the costs are manageable and justified taking into account Australia's wealth, economic growth and the state of current arrangements for people with a disability," said John Walsh of the Productivity Commission.
Labor is considering the report but won't commit to any changes until after the commission's final report is released in July.
Privately Labor is describing the proposal as a "Rolls Royce scheme" and is giving every indication that when it does unveil its response it will be a much more basic, cheaper model.
