5 years ago
ARCHER PAYS LIP SERVICE TO COMMUNITY AFTER $4.6 BILLION NDIS UNDERSPEND
BILL SHORTEN MP
Days after it has emerged that the Morrison Government ripped $4.6 billion out of the NDIS Member for Bass Bridget Archer is paying ‘lip service’ with a public forum for NDIS recipients and their families.
The Member for Bass Bridget Archer is holding public forums on Thursday, 26th of September into the NDIS but has advertised explicitly that only recipients of the NDIS and their families are permitted to attend the forums.
There is concern within the Launceston community that the new Member for Bass Bridget Archer is not only paying lip service but also excluding people within her electorate from attending the forums after only inviting NDIS recipients.
Shadow NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said leadership was required when it came to the NDIS.
“The Liberals seem committed to keeping those on the NDIS and those who are not away from one another,” Mr Shorten said.
“I think the Liberal’s are fearful of what they may hear from other members of the community if they allow non NDIS recipients to attend the forum.”
Senator Helen Polley was concerned that those in the community with a view on the NDIS were being silenced.
“The fact that the local member is unwilling to listen to her community after only being in the job for 4 months speaks volumes. You can’t hold a public forum and only invite certain people. Others deserve a voice, for example people applying for the NDIS, social service organisations or anyone else in the community with a view on the NDIS. Will those people be turned away at the door if they go along?” Senator Polley said.
The Minister for the NDIS said all voices deserve to be heard.
“I think that the problems with the NDIS are well known. We know that the system is failing recipients. We know that the NDIS is woefully underfunded and is suffering from inefficient delivery of services. The tragic case of Tim Rubenach in Tasmania is well known. He waited months for a tilt bed which was approved by the NDIS. It didn’t arrive and he passed away. This is shameful and displays the system is failing our most vulnerable people,” Mr Shorten said.
There is no point of having an NDIS if it isn’t delivering on its function to help Australians live a better life. At the moment it is failing Australians and the Morrison Government seems committed to the status quo.
The Member for Bass Bridget Archer is holding public forums on Thursday, 26th of September into the NDIS but has advertised explicitly that only recipients of the NDIS and their families are permitted to attend the forums.
There is concern within the Launceston community that the new Member for Bass Bridget Archer is not only paying lip service but also excluding people within her electorate from attending the forums after only inviting NDIS recipients.
Shadow NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said leadership was required when it came to the NDIS.
“The Liberals seem committed to keeping those on the NDIS and those who are not away from one another,” Mr Shorten said.
“I think the Liberal’s are fearful of what they may hear from other members of the community if they allow non NDIS recipients to attend the forum.”
Senator Helen Polley was concerned that those in the community with a view on the NDIS were being silenced.
“The fact that the local member is unwilling to listen to her community after only being in the job for 4 months speaks volumes. You can’t hold a public forum and only invite certain people. Others deserve a voice, for example people applying for the NDIS, social service organisations or anyone else in the community with a view on the NDIS. Will those people be turned away at the door if they go along?” Senator Polley said.
The Minister for the NDIS said all voices deserve to be heard.
“I think that the problems with the NDIS are well known. We know that the system is failing recipients. We know that the NDIS is woefully underfunded and is suffering from inefficient delivery of services. The tragic case of Tim Rubenach in Tasmania is well known. He waited months for a tilt bed which was approved by the NDIS. It didn’t arrive and he passed away. This is shameful and displays the system is failing our most vulnerable people,” Mr Shorten said.
There is no point of having an NDIS if it isn’t delivering on its function to help Australians live a better life. At the moment it is failing Australians and the Morrison Government seems committed to the status quo.