Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have said for a long time now that being on the NDIS is life changing for a participant with the right package and the right service provider. It is truly life changing. We have to ensure that the NDIS is there for people in the future. Both sides of the House have recognised that there are problems with the NDIS—and there's an inquiry being undertaken at the moment—like extended assessment wait times, overcharging, travel costs and draining packages well before their 12-month limit.

But in the past few weeks another issue has been brought to my attention, this time from the perspective of an NDIS provider. I should note these organisations are not fly-by-nighters. They are organisations who have been in my community for over two decades. They're not cowboy individuals. They are there servicing the community properly and changing people's lives. But as a result of the recent NDIA annual price review, combined with significant increases in workers compensation premiums in New South Wales, they have seen a 16 per cent increase in workers compensation premiums without any further claims from the provider. There's been no explanation. It's leaving some of those service providers in an unsustainable position. Data from the Ability Roundtable reported to the NDIA shows a direct link between state premiums and an organisation's margin. The median provider in New South Wales reported a 4.3 per cent deficit margin, so they're losing money, and much of that is a result of these significant increases in workers compensation.

After the pricing review announcement, the disability services peak body, National Disability Services, or NDS, surveyed its member organisations. Collectively, NDS members operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disabilities. Twelve hundred organisations responded to the survey, and, of those, 84 per cent are rethinking their future and 75 per cent are considering stopping some or all of their services. This is frightening for regional and rural Australia. I urge the Minister for the NDIS to acknowledge this data and incorporate any impact on New South Wales providers into the NDIA pricing review. Please don't let my people go without those services.