The NDIS was meant to deliver dignity and choice, but the Albanese Government is now cutting critical supports in a rushed attempt to contain soaring costs.
Federal Member for Bowman Henry Pike MP has slammed the latest changes, which took effect last month, slashing travel funding, cutting therapy rates and freezing others with barely any notice to providers.
“These cuts are gutting the very support networks that families depend on,” Mr Pike stated. “Travel funding has been halved overnight, making it near impossible for therapists to service families on our Bay Islands.”
NDIS costs are projected to exceed $58 billion by 2028, more than Medicare or Defence.
“Instead of fixing duplication, fraud or red tape, Labor is dumping the burden on frontline providers and taking the lazy way out.” Mr Pike said
Local therapists are pulling out of the Bay Islands because travel funding has been drastically cut. Physiotherapists have had their rates cut by more than $10 an hour. Occupational Therapists haven’t had a funding increase in over seven years, even as fuel, wages, rent and insurance continue to rise.
“The Bay Islands already face geographic and service delivery challenges. Cutting travel subsidies only compounds the isolation and hardship for families who are already doing it tough.” Mr Pike added.
Mr Pike believes reducing costs shouldn’t come at the expense of the most vulnerable and is fighting for solutions that reflect that.
Through his advocacy, Mr Pike has met one on one with many local providers and will be attending a local Redlands Chamber of Commerce NDIS forum held in the Redlands to hear further from providers and families already feeling the impact. He also raised the issue in Federal Parliament last week, calling for smarter reform.
“Highly trained professionals are walking away. Some now earn more as support workers. That’s how broken the system is.”
Mr Pike shared the heartbreaking story of a local family denied a double palliative care bed for their terminally ill daughter, despite it being offered at the same cost as a single.
“She passed away before the red tape was resolved. That’s what happens when bureaucracy trumps basic compassion and common sense.”
“We can reduce costs without gutting care, but it takes leadership, not lazy policy. I’ll keep fighting for Redlands families and the professionals who care for them.”