Tammy Tyrrell Tasmania, Independent
2:56 pm
My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Gallagher. Autism Tasmania and Disability Voices Tasmania shut their doors this week as a result of federal funding cuts. Staff have been immediately let go, and the Tasmanians who relied on these services have been left devastated by the sudden closures. Why was funding cut for these important services, without any warning or transition period?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
2:57 pm
I thank Senator Tyrrell for the question and her interest in the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I will come back to the senator with more information, if I can. I'm not specifically aware of the organisations you speak of but, as Minister for Finance, we have been increasing funding to the NDIS every year to meet some of the increasing costs around the scheme. We know, from the way the scheme operates, that individuals get a package and then they can track that package with providers. That has, at times, meant that the viability of providers has been more difficult than it has been in the past, but I am not aware of funding cuts to the NDIS. We have been providing extra money every year and we will continue to—
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
That is not true.
Hollie Hughes NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
It's in your budget papers.
Sue Lines President
Senator Reynolds and Senator Hughes, I called both of you twice, and then one of you went further and banged the table—once again, incredibly disrespectful. If I call you to order, come to order. Senator Hughes. Order! Minister, please continue.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
We have factored into the budget changes that come with NDIS legislation, which has not passed this parliament, and they are about slowing the growth of the NDIS—the extra investment that's required. We need to ensure that the NDIS grows at a sustainable rate, in the order of eight per cent. That will still be outside of the interest that we're paying off your debt. That will be the fastest-growing government program across the Commonwealth. It is growing faster than health, faster than defence and faster than aged care. If those opposite think that you can just continue to grow a program like that, without any consequences, they are wrong. In terms of the organisations in Tasmania, Senator Tyrrell, I am happy to look at that and come back to you if there is any further information.
Sue Lines President
Order! Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Senator Hughes and Senator Reynolds, again, I ask you to listen in respectful silence. When I call for order, don't disrespect me. This is Senator Tyrrell's question. Senator Tyrrell, first supplementary?
Tammy Tyrrell Tasmania, Independent
2:59 pm
The getting the NDIS back on track bill says states and territory will be expected to fund foundational supports.
Hollie Hughes NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
What are they?
Tammy Tyrrell Tasmania, Independent
Did you cut funding to these services as part of this new NDIS strategy, which isn't actually in play yet and where there is this huge lag?
Linda Reynolds WA, Liberal Party
Yes, that's exactly what they did.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
I haven't called you, Minister. I'm going to ask for—
Silence, Senator Hughes! Minister, please continue.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
3:00 pm
The foundational supports program, which we are talking to the states about, is about ensuring that there are programs that sit outside the NDIS—
Sue Lines President
Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Senator Ayres.
Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade
President, I think it would assist the chamber if you were able to advise the people who have come to the parliament who are in the gallery that babies are welcome in this parliament. Whether your babies make a little bit of noise or not, you are very, very welcome. I think it would assist members in the gallery if you were able to do that.
Sue Lines President
As I understand it, one of the security staff misunderstood the rules. I'm sure that the security officer has been told that babies are welcome on the floor of the chamber and in the gallery.
Honourable senators: Hear, hear!
Minister Gallagher, please continue your answer.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
On the issue of foundation supports, we are looking to work with the states and territories to set up some foundation supports. Do you know why? Because we want to make sure that people who don't get in through the NDIS have some services, like the ones that used to exist. There used to be services that sat outside the NDIS—more high-level support, like therapy centres and early intervention centres, which no longer exist because those services were withdrawn when the NDIS came into being. That has left a gap.
So we are working with the states and territories on that. We will continue to do so, we've put some money in the budget to establish that and we'll continue to work with states and territories on it. But it's actually about providing more options for support for children, in particular, with a disability to make sure that they get the best chance they can at the earliest opportunity. (Time expired)
Tammy Tyrrell Tasmania, Independent
3:02 pm
I hear that answer, but the problem is that the people that had those services have not been kept informed. So what do you have to say to the Tasmanians who relied on these services and are now left with no alternatives and no actual answers?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
Again, I'm not aware of the specifics of the organisations that you refer to. I am told that, under the linkages and capacity building funding, announced in early June, we'll see millions of dollars flow to Tasmanian community organisations that deliver projects for people with a disability and their carers and families—over $3½ million. It will build on other projects there are. But I would urge those organisations to get in contact with the minister's office if they haven't already. I'm sure he will provide some information for them, and I'm happy to follow that up as well.