Labor has pledged to launch a sweeping review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and provide better services for the more than half a million Australians relying on it for support.
The opposition has unveiled six key measures it says will return the scheme to its original vision.
The plan includes raising the staffing cap, streamlining the planning process and appointing a senior officer within the scheme’s agency to deliver better services to regional areas.
Labor has also pledged to pause changes to supported independent living and investigate ways to cut red tape and stop queues mounting for people with a disability finding appropriate housing.
Government mismanagement has led to a 400 per cent increase in NDIS decisions being taken to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the National Disability Insurance Agency spending $28 million in six months on legal fees, Labor NDIS spokesman Bill Shorten said.
Mr Shorten said Labor’s policy would restore trust between the government and people with a disability and their carers.
“The NDIS, under the current coalition Morrison government, has been engaging in an undeclared war, cutting literally thousands and thousands of participants plans,” he told reporters in Melbourne.
“Kids with autism are not getting the early intervention support they deserve. We need to make sure that qualified people are providing a proper minimum levels of support.”
Labor is also trying to put its stumbled start to the election behind them, ahead of the first leaders’ debate of the campaign on Wednesday.
Support for both parties have dropped by a point in a recent Newspoll, with a third of Australians saying they wouldn’t vote for the majors.
Mr Albanese said he would convince undecided voters to back Labor instead of independents or minor parties by providing a positive agenda.
“This is about the future,” he said.
Campaign spokesperson Jason Clare also took aim at a reported $500,000 payout to former staffer Rachelle Miller by the Department of Finance after she accused stood-aside minister Alan Tudge of being abusive – allegations he strenuously denies.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday said if there was any matter raised in relation to the conduct of a minister it would have gone across his desk.
“I can assure you absolutely that no such reference has been made to me. So to imply that would be false.”
Mr Clare said the public deserved to know who the payout related to.
“(The prime minister) is saying it’s got nothing to do with Tudge. Who has it got to do with? We deserve to know the truth. It’s your money.”
With the polls tightening, Mr Clare says the leaders’ debate will allow Mr Albanese to showcase why it’s time for change.
“The Australian people don’t throw out governments lightly. They throw governments out when they have continually failed, when they have no ideas for the future and when they are just fighting amongst themselves.
“This government meets the trifecta.”
As the cost of living and wages continued to be an issue for voters, Mr Clare ruled out any Bob Hawke-style wage accords, but reiterated a jobs summit would be held under a Labor government.
“One of the things that Bob Hawke and Paul Keating did … was to get the people in the room that are going to help get the outcome we all want,” Mr Clare said.
“What Albanese said is we would have a national employment summit – the logic is the same. If you get the right people in the room to work together, you can lift wages and build a stronger economy.”
