Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

In having public and private, I think we really need to look at having better government support—public government support—within the NDIS system because, as we saw in the banking sector, when the CBA was privatised we let the private market rip, and 20 years later we ended up with a royal commission into misconduct in the financial system.

What privatisation has shown us is that you don't get greater competition; you get concentration of market power. When we look at our hospitals and our schools, I think they are structured the best, in that, for hospitals, we have private hospitals and public hospitals, and, in the school system, we have private schools and public schools. The private schools and the private hospitals are there so that, if people want to pay a little bit extra and get a little bit more of what they think is better service, then they can pay extra for that. But, given that the NDIS, like banking, health and education, is an essential service, we need to make sure that we have a government backstop.

There was a very good article in the weekend's Sunday Mail. It talked about private equity entering the NDIS system. We have now got millionaires moving in. They're looking at achieving a rate of over 10 per cent return. I'm sorry, but people with disabilities shouldn't be seen as a commodity to be traded. I find that completely and utterly offensive. I get that farming is a private industry. I get that, because it is better having farms in private hands. But, when we are talking about the lives, dignity and worth of every individual, we have to make sure they get adequate, correct care. This is why I really think we need better public systems in the NDIS system and, as I have said, to make sure that we don't let the private market rip, because we are dealing with people's lives.

I accept that this is never going to be easy. It's easy to criticise the current minister, but—I'm going to be honest here—when you have something like almost half a million people on the NDIS, with a range of disabilities, it is not going to be very easy to make a one-size-fits-all type of situation. I don't want to make too many overreaching generalisations. I know there are times to have a bit of a crack in the chamber, but I don't think that we should be doing that in this particular case when we're dealing with people's suffering and disability.

I will just conclude by saying I look forward to the amendments that the coalition are going to bring on, but I also would ask that we all work together to support those people who are most in need. I have three beautiful, healthy children. I cannot imagine what it would be like to have a child who needs the support of constant care. In fact, one of my old school friends who I talk with quite often is Toni Mitchell. Her son, Joshy, has needed a lifetime of support and care. She's a single mum. She is a true champion. I don't know if I could cope with the struggles that she has gone through. Toni, if you are listening, this one's for you. I look forward to hopefully this bill helping make life better for people who are disabled.