James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Fifield. Will the minister update the Senate on the rollout of the NDIS in our home state of Victoria? How does the government propose to deliver the vital services that Australians rely on?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Paterson for the question. I'm very pleased to report that the NDIS has now commenced rollout across 70 per cent of Victoria, with the scheme starting in southern Melbourne from last week. September 1 marks a significant milestone, with the NDIS now having commenced rollout in 11 of the 16 areas in Victoria—scheduled to enter the scheme by 2020. More than 42,000 Victorians are currently accessing the scheme, including more than 8,000 people who are receiving support for the first time.

The NDIS is an initiative of the utmost importance, and I do want to pause for a moment to acknowledge the work of those opposite when they were in government and the work that has occurred on this side of the chamber as well. This is, I think, one of the best bipartisan—indeed, cross-party—initiatives that we have seen in this parliament. It's the biggest social reform since Medicare and one that I know all colleagues fully embrace.

Once fully implemented, the NDIS is expected to support about 105,000 people with disability in Victoria. More than 54,000 Australians on the NDIS are now receiving the support to which they are entitled. More than 180,000 Australians are being supported by the NDIS at the moment, representing a 13 per cent growth on the previous quarter. Delivering improved outcomes for Australians with disability will inevitability involve challenges. This is a mammoth undertaking, and it's important that issues, as they arise, are addressed quickly and efficiently. That certainly is the objective of this government.

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister advise the Senate on how the government is working to reduce the incidence of fraud within the NDIS?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The NDIA and the Commonwealth government will not tolerate the misuse of funds intended to support people with disability, and we take all reports of suspected fraud seriously. I can advise that a revised statement of strategic guidance was issued to the NDIA board by the government in March 2017, and I should also indicate that the coalition government established the NDIS fraud task force in July 2018 to tackle serious fraud against the NDIS. The task force is a partnership between the NDIA, the Department of Human Services and the Australian Federal Police. Anyone who is aware that fraud is being committed against the NDIS, which also means against the Australian community, should contact the police or the NDIS fraud hotline on 1800650717.

James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister advise the Senate on how the government is working to improve the NDIS participant experience?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I indicated before, there will be challenges with a program of this scale, and the important thing is to address issues quickly as they arise. The rollout of key service improvements from October 2018 to improve the NDIS experience for participants and providers—

Senator Steele-John interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, order!

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

is important. The implementation schedule is being finalised with states and territories, and improvements include a stronger focus on community, mainstream, informal and employment supports during preplanning, face-to-face plan implementation meetings and improvements to the participant and provider portals. One hundred and eighty-eight people with disability and carers, 76 providers, 124 frontline staff and 20 government officials contributed to the pathway review through workshops and individual interviews. This is all aimed to ensure we have continual improvement of the NDIS.