Home / Health / Health Minister Silent on NDIS Savings After Hospital Funding Secured
Health Minister Silent on NDIS Savings After Hospital Funding Secured
1 Feb
Summary
- Budget savings from NDIS reforms remain unquantified by the health minister.
- An extra $25 billion has been allocated to state and territory hospitals.
- The 'Thriving Kids' program for autistic children faces a multi-month delay.
An agreement for hospital funding has been reached, allocating an additional $25 billion to state and territory governments. However, the health minister, Mark Butler, has been unable to specify the budget savings expected from reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The proposed reforms aim to limit the annual growth of NDIS spending to six percent. Butler stated that quantifying these savings requires a detailed budget process and collaborative design with the disability community, acknowledging the NDIS's significant expansion under the previous government.
The launch of the 'Thriving Kids' initiative, intended to move children with mild to moderate autism off the NDIS and into state-based programs, has been delayed by several months. This program was initially slated for full implementation in 2028.
