Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Smith for the question. The National Disability Insurance Scheme is changing lives for the better. With today's legislation passing the Senate, the Albanese government is returning the scheme to its true purpose—that is, to get support through to the people it is meant to support. These reforms have been the subject of extensive debate in this place, and they represent a significant step towards a stronger NDIS. Not only do the reforms put participants back in the centre of the National Disability Insurance Scheme; they are getting much-needed support directly to participants. As the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme has said on many occasions, the scheme cannot be the only lifeboat in the ocean.

This is part of a long-term reform plan to ensure that the investments that we are making in the National Disability Insurance Scheme are focused on outcomes, not inputs. Part of it does mean stopping the waste, and it's important to say that this is not simply rorts. Every dollar of waste is a dollar that could be spent on a person with a disability. The Albanese government will do all of this in co-design with people with disability. We know that there are a range of views. These reforms have been subjected to an extensive consultation process, and we know that not everyone will disagree or agree on every point. But our intention is to work closely with the community, and the aim of our reforms is to be able to assure people on the NDIS that it's here for the future and that it is fair, equitable and transparent.