People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is putting politicians on notice: Australians with disability will not stand by while our lifeline – the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – and the essential supports it delivers are threatened by cost-cutting or used as a political football.
PWDA is calling for considered investment in the NDIS in recognition of the critical role the Scheme plays in our economy and in enabling people with disability to live and participate in our communities.
"The NDIS is an essential service, not a luxury. It enables more than 706,000 people with disability to live independently, participate in the workforce and contribute to our communities. Any move to restrict access or cut funding is not just a betrayal of our rights – it's bad economics," said PWDA Deputy CEO Megan Spindler-Smith.
"Every $1 invested in the NDIS returns $2.25 in value to the Australian economy. It also drives job creation – for every $1 billion underfunded, over 10,000 jobs are lost. Cutting the NDIS doesn't save money – it costs more in hospitalisations, crisis services and social supports," Mx Spindler-Smith said.
