NDIS Levy – Get agreement and bring it on

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) has welcomed yesterday’s statements by the Prime Minister which suggest the Government would be prepared to bring legislation for an increase to the Medicare levy to fund DisabilityCare Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), into Parliament before the election if there was bipartisan support.

“Now that the Prime Minister has flagged the possibility of introducing legislation in the life of this Parliament, we would encourage all Parliamentarians to search their consciences and consider their position on funding for this reform,” said Craig Wallace, President of People with Disability Australia.

“The NDIS now has bipartisan support and both government and opposition deserve full credit for the legislation passing and their roles in the campaign so far,” said Mr Wallace.

“The principle of bipartisan support for the scheme is important.  If the opposition indicates that they would continue bipartisan support for a levy to ensure its smooth passage through Parliament then why not bring it on?”

“We were pleased by the opposition’s decision to support the legislation last year.  They deserve full credit for this and their role in the campaign. We also support their call for a cross party oversight committee in the next parliament.  I look forward to Mr Abbott’s announcement today,” said Mr Wallace.

“If we want to avoid people with disability becoming wedged into a political debate on funding during the election campaign – and I think we all do – then the way forward is clear.

“If there are viable, sustainable alternatives to a levy we need to see the detail of them soon.  Otherwise let’s get agreement on the levy as a funding mechanism and get it into law before the campaign proper begins.”