Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to echo a commonly spoken sentiment—the NDIS is fundamentally broken. It was meant to change lives, but, right now, too many Australians aren't receiving the help they need—the help they deserve. Consider this, as just one of many sobering examples since the full rollout of the scheme in 2020—access for those with psychosocial disabilities has dropped by 62 per cent. For many, that's the end of the line. There are hardly any other supports available and the recommendations to fix that are still sitting in reports unimplemented. But this isn't just about one group; it's a sign of a system that's drifting away from its purpose. We see the focus on diagnosis over function, making it harder for people with less 'neat' conditions to qualify. Providers are under strain. Many can't pay above award wages, so workers are leaving. We should be thankful to our migrant workers in this space as they are keeping things running. But it's not sustainable, and it's not fair to anyone.

Even inside the system, things are broken. Nearly a quarter of staff at the NDIS regulator report burnout, citing a toxic culture. When the people running the scheme are burning out, how can we expect the system to properly care for participants? If face-to-face services aren't practical for everyone, fund smarter alternatives like digital platforms or accessible communication apps. Meet people where they are. The NDIS was built on fairness and inclusion. Right now, it's not living up to either. It's time we stopped writing reports and started fixing what we already know is broken so the scheme can finally deliver on its promises to help Australians with a disability.