By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) headquartered in Geelong as DisabilityCare could be “torn down”, former Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin fears.
Ms Macklin wrote to DisabilityCare supporters bemoaning a cabinet demotion for the scheme.
“I was disappointed to learn that the minister in charge of delivering DisabilityCare has been quietly demoted and will not sit in the new cabinet,” Ms Macklin wrote as MP for Jagajaga.
“It is deeply worrying that the biggest social reform in a generation is not a high enough priority for the new government to warrant the attention of a cabinet minister.
“We need someone inside the cabinet room to fight for people with disability when the tough decisions are being made – not waiting outside.
“The Coalition promised before the election that they would continue the reforms delivered by Labor. It’s a commitment I take very seriously and I expect the government to take it just as seriously.
“I will keep working every day to make sure what we’ve built won’t be torn down.”
Assistant Minister for Social Services Senator Mitch Fifield said the coalition would have “continuity in front bench representation at ministerial level”.
“It’s disappointing that Jenny Macklin is seeking to play politics with the NDIS. We have always sought to elevate disability beyond partisanship,” Mr Fifield said.
“There has been no demotion of disability. I am the minister with responsibility for the NDIS working in close collaboration with Kevin Andrews at the cabinet table.”
Mr Fifield said the coalition was committed to the full implementation of the NDIS.
Under coalition policy DisabilityCare will revert to being called the NDIS.
“The rebranding of the NDIS as DisabilityCare Australia has not been well received by many with disability,” the coalition’s policy statement said.
