Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the NDIS, Senator Ruston. I refer to reports on the ABC which show that the Morrison government has propped up its 2018-19 budget bottom line by pocketing $3.4 billion from the National Disability Insurance Scheme. What is the total underspend on the NDIS in the fiscal years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you to the senator for her question. The figures that you are referring to are published in the budget papers. What I would draw to your attention—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm more than happy to bring the budget papers in there and table them if those opposite would like to have a look at them. However, I would draw the attention of the chamber to the fact that this is a demand driven system. That means that people who wish to access the system do so at their demand. The progress of the NDIS has been entirely consistent with its trial and transition phase. Obviously, this has been a large part to do with moving—

Opposition senators interjecting —

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Ruston—when I can hear your answer, I'll allow you to continue. Order!

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was saying, this is a largely consistent with the move from block funding into a demand driven system. One of the most important things to realise also is that, as part of this process, 100,000 people in Australia who currently live with disability are now able to access a package specifically designed for their specific needs—100,000 people who otherwise wouldn't be able to.

In the case of the question asked by Senator Gallagher, I am more than happy to provide the budget documents so that she can see the exact numbers herself.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Gallagher is on her feet. A supplementary question?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a supplementary question. Can the minister confirm that, over the last two financial years alone, Australians with a disability are now $6 billion worse off as a result of the government's botched rollout of the NDIS?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) | Link to this | Hansard source

I completely reject the premise of the question that was asked by Senator Gallagher, and I would refer her back to all of my comments in this answer and my previous answer in relation to the fact that a demand driven system is exactly that—driven by demand

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Gallagher, a final supplementary question.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) | Link to this | Hansard source

How much of the budget improvement that will be revealed in the government's final budget outcome is built on the back of vulnerable Australians with a disability who are not getting the care and support they need?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) | Link to this | Hansard source

I would draw the attention of the chamber to my previous answers to exactly the same question. However, we should make no apology about the fact that we manage our budgets appropriately and target them to deliver outcomes for more vulnerable Australians. The job of government is to make sure that vulnerable Australians get the services they need, and that is exactly what the NDIS is designed to do.