Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Goldstein for his question and the opportunity to join with him on the weekend before last at Bayley House, which is a wonderful institution in Brighton, where we enjoyed a morning tea. There are some 220 clients, 135 staff and 60 volunteers there. They run a comprehensive program to support around 175 adults. Peter, Bri and Mary, who have been there for some time, showed us around the facilities. All of them and their parents and families are looking forward to the NDIS coming into full operation. They were very pleased to understand and know that, in looking to provide for families and people dealing with disabilities, we were giving guaranteed, fully funded support to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. This is an issue of uncertainty and concern, and families and others who are relying on these services can know that this scheme is fully funded and paid for. What they want to be assured of is that this parliament is turning its attention to the delivery of this scheme rather than engaging in the politics of how it is funded.

The opportunity exists right now for those opposite to come to the middle, where the parliament is standing, to support the full funding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with the half a per cent increase in the Medicare levy two years from now. We are increasing the levy because we understand that this is a national insurance scheme, and all Australians, according to their capacity to pay, are being invited to be part of that through the increase in the levy, just as it was done by the Labor Party when they started this scheme, which was supported by those on this side of the House at the time.

Craig Wallace, former president of People with Disability, has said: 'This is a good decision to put battles over NDIS funding to bed. Disability can occur to anyone. Let's get above politics.' Therese Sands, the director of Disabled People's Organisations Australia, has said: 'We are extremely pleased to hear that an increase in the Medicare levy will fully fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme and finally guarantee the support needs of people with a disability.'

On this side of the House we are putting up the levy by half a per cent to fund what is a $55.7 billion funding hole in the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Those opposite, the Labor Party, are proposing to increase the Medicare levy not for that purpose at all. In fact, the shadow Treasurer and the shadow assistant minister have made it very clear they have no intention of putting one dollar of their increase in the Medicare levy towards supporting funding the National Disability Insurance Scheme. They are just taking a cheap opportunity to raise a tax. They have the opportunity to stand up. The entire Turnbull cabinet is fully supportive of this initiative, as is the entire ministry, as is the entire government. Those opposite are divided. (Time expired)

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