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Gallagher on the NDIS and RBA appointments

On the NDIS, Gallagher refers to a speech given by Bill Shorten at the Press Club last week on the future of the scheme.

I think the challenge in the NDIS is actually about making sure that every dollar going in there – and it’s a substantial amount of dollars now, is actually delivering the outcomes we want in supporting people with a disability to live a dignified life, and, you know, some of that might involve changes within the scheme.

The [RBA] governor and Treasury were involved in that. That’s the first time that’s happened. I note the governor in his press conference welcomed those appointments to the board. From our point of view, apart from them having incredible careers of substance, both of those appointees, we absolutely think that people with experience about working people’s lives and about wages and wages’ role in the economy is absolutely important to reflect on the board.

I think from other point of view, we want to make sure, that you know, taxpayers are getting the right sort of return through that measure. And, you know, that’s the work that Treasury has done. They think there are some changes that could be made. There are a number of different recommendations, or views, put through that, and we’ll conclude our discussions on that in the short term.

We’re actually having to deal with that. And you’ll see a reasonable part of the budget is actually addressing these terminating measures, which is essentially the dishonesty of the previous government about the state the budget was in.