Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Hansard source

I am, Senator Duniam—through you, Mr President. I think many, many Australians are also aware, as they have been for many, many years, because, despite promises, slogans and bumper stickers, the previous Labor government failed to fully fund the NDIS, leaving a substantial annual funding gap of almost $4 billion from 2019-20.

The claim that Labor makes that it fully funded it has no credibility when Labor's actual budget papers did not link any savings to the NDIS. That proposition only appeared in a little glossy document in 2013-14. That glossy document spoke about 'other long-term savings' that were not identified in any budget paper. When asked in Senate estimates whether these measures could be listed in detail, Treasury's response was: 'The short answer is no.' And, Mr President, may I say we can always go back to an interview on 2 May 2013 where, when referring to the proposal by Labor to increase the Medicare levy, the now Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten, said, 'I'm sure we will get bipartisanship.' (Time expired)