Fine print in Albanese govt's $50m funding boost to ACT hospitals
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West Australian
17 hours ago
- West Australian
Melissa Price blasts NDIS reforms as blow to remote providers
Member for Durack Melissa Price has slammed upcoming changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, warning the reforms will hurt regional WA's practitioners and their clients. The changes to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, due to come into effect from today, are part of the Albanese Government's push to rein in the scheme's rising costs. The plan aims to reduce annual spending growth from 15 per cent to 8 per cent by aligning therapy prices with national benchmarks. While Ms Price agrees the NDIS needs reform, she says uniform pricing ignores the higher costs of delivering services across remote areas like Durack. 'The NDIS has blown out beyond its original intent and clearly needs serious reform,' Ms Price said. 'However, that reform must be fair, informed and grounded in real world experience. Ripping funding out of the regions should not be the first step.' Ms Price said she had been contacted by allied health professionals across Durack, particularly in the Pilbara, and the Kimberley, who fear the removal of regional loadings and reduced travel support will force them to cut services or shut up shop altogether. 'These are small, often women-led, businesses — speech pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists etc. — who have chosen to work in remote communities,' she said. 'These changes put their livelihoods, and their clients' care, at serious risk.' The Coalition has also raised concerns about the sudden nature of the announcement, which it says came with no warning and leaves little time for providers or participants to adjust. 'It is not feasible for providers and participants to adapt service delivery at such short notice,' Ms Price said. 'This is yet another example of the Albanese Government's failure to consult the sector or understand the reality on the ground.' In response, Ms Price said she and the Coalition have written to the Minister for Disability and the NDIS, Mark Butler, calling for a three-month deferral of the changes to allow proper planning and consultation. 'The Government must explain how regional providers are expected to adapt without harming participants,' she said. 'The Coalition will continue to monitor the impact and hold the Government to account for any negative outcomes for NDIS participants.' The Kimberley Echo has contacted Minister for the NDIS Jenny McAllister for comment.
Canberra Times
a day ago
- Canberra Times
Fine print in Albanese govt's $50m funding boost to ACT hospitals
That's $139 million less than the 45 per cent the ACT wants the feds to contribute by 2035 - as agreed at national cabinet in December 2023, when states and territories also agreed to help ease pressure on the National Disability Insurance Scheme by funding more disability supports.
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
ACT government slashes health levy to $100 as part of budget deal with Greens
The ACT government has slashed its proposed health levy from $250 to $100 for residential ratepayers after striking a deal with the Greens. The levy was unveiled in the ACT budget last week and was to be attached to rates notices every year until 2029-30, bringing in an extra $205 million over four years to help pay for health services. But the ACT Greens said they wouldn't support what the party called an "unfair and regressive tax". After days of negotiations, the levy has now been reduced to $100 for residential and rural property owners, but will remain at $250 for commercial properties. Treasurer Chris Steel said the agreement followed constructive discussions with the ACT Greens about revenue measures in the 2025-26 budget. "The levy will raise necessary revenue to fund record investment in Canberra's public health system, which now accounts for more than 33 per cent of the ACT Budget," Mr Steel said. The revised levy has only been agreed to for one year, and will be reviewed annually. To offset the lower levy, Mr Steel said the government would introduce a higher payroll tax rate of 8.75 per cent for large businesses with national payrolls exceeding $150 million. The new rate is expected to come into effect from January 1. "This outcome reflects the government's commitment to working collaboratively to ensure vital services are funded responsibly, without the need for deep cuts to public services or infrastructure investment," he said. ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said his party could not support the levy in its original form. "Through these negotiations we recognise it is vital for government to raise the revenue that is needed to pay for key community services in this territory," Mr Rattenbury said. He said the flat levy was unfair but there had been "significant pressure" to reach an agreement quickly, with the rates determination having to be signed off by midnight on June 30. "There needed to be a decision today to enable the government to put that determination in place in the legislative time frames, and so we've had to work quite quickly," Mr Rattenbury said.
