Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Siewert, for your question. Let me make absolutely clear that this government is not looking for ways to slow down the rollout of the NDIS. We are looking for ways to deliver the NDIS to make sure that it is the best that it can be. To put beyond any doubt the intention and determination of this government to roll out the NDIS in full, colleagues need look no further than the budget papers themselves, which see the full appropriation for the NDIS laid out over the forward estimates.

Negotiations for the full rollout of the NDIS are currently underway between me and various jurisdictions. I should make clear, however, that your home state of Western Australia, Senator Siewert, currently has a trial run by the NDIS agency and also a trial run by the Western Australian government, and there will be a comparative assessment of that. Western Australia at the moment is using that information to determine how it might proceed. The ACT, as the first jurisdiction-wide trial, is in effect already on the path to full transition.

I am working very hard, negotiating with the other six jurisdictions to roll out the NDIS beyond the existing seven trial sites, but it is important to make clear that this is a collective venture between the Commonwealth and the states and territories. This is not something where the Commonwealth can unilaterally declare, 'We now have an end to negotiations.' Negotiations end, obviously, when both parties agree, and I am working very hard on that front. Any suggestions, as there were, that I am looking to slow down negotiations with New South Wales, for instance, are completely wrong.