National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Mr BUTLER (Hindmarsh—Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Minister for Health and Ageing and Deputy Leader of the House) (16:41): I move: That the amendments be agreed to. I want to thank members in this House and the other place for their contributions on this bill. I understand that the bill and the scheme more broadly are deeply felt by this parliament, as they are across the general community.

I also want to acknowledge the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee and thank all of those from the disability community and beyond who provided submissions and turned up to hearings and provided their evidence to those hearings. The government has listened carefully to the views that were put forward by members and senators, as well as the evidence heard in that inquiry, and, as a result of that meaningful engagement, has agreed to 63 amendments to the bill—30 of them in this House and 33 in the other place.

I particularly want to thank the opposition for their constructive engagement throughout this process and for their support for the government amendments that were moved in the other place. These amendments strengthen participant safeguards and make the laws clearer and easier to understand. Significant among those amendments are an amendment to clarify how support determinations will work and who they apply to.

This amendment also strengthens safeguards for participants who require 24-hour disability care on a continuous basis. Another amendment clarifies what a parent or parents are expected to provide for a child with a disability for the purposes of the NDIA considering whether a support is reasonable and necessary. These expectations do not include the additional support a child needs due to their disability when compared to children of a similar age.

This amendment ensures the NDIA must consider the risk of harm to informal supports, family relationships and informal networks if a support is not to be funded. In addition to clarifying specific provisions and addressing unintended consequences, these amendments build on the government's commitment around fighting fraud and stopping the rorts. These amendments ban kickbacks and inducements.

This is going to protect participants from exploitative provider practices that might expose them to financial, health and other safety risks. This amendment adds additional integrity related offences, sending a stronger message that there will be consequences that match the seriousness of wrongdoing in this area. We've improved whistleblower protections to be in line with best practice.

We know it is important to encourage individuals to report wrongdoing without fear of unfair treatment or harm. The National Disability Insurance Scheme is truly one of Australia's greatest social and human rights achievements. It has transformed lives, expanded opportunity and redefined what is possible for people with disability, their families and their carers.

However, without action, the future of the NDIS has been at risk. Rapid growth is placing pressure on the scheme. Fraud and exploitation are undermining its integrity, and the scheme has deviated from its original purpose of providing lifelong support to Australians with permanent and significant disability.

That's why the government has remained utterly steadfast in its commitment to deliver this bill. It's the right thing to do to protect the NDIS for future generations. This bill delivers on key reforms to strengthen the scheme and ensure it can continue to support people with permanent and significant disability.

The reforms will also improve the quality and the reliability of supports that participants receive. They'll strengthen safeguards and oversight, helping to protect people with disability from harm, exploitation and, frankly, just poor practice. They'll provide greater clarity around eligibility, improve how NDIS plans are managed and administered and provide clearer rules about how funding can be used.

They'll strengthen integrity measures to better address fraud and ensure funding is directed to the supports that participants genuinely need. Importantly, these reforms have been shaped by feedback from people with disability, and their families and carers, as well as advocates, providers and the broader disability community, and we will continue to work with the disability community as implementation progresses.

Australians expect the NDIS to support people with a disability and their families and to continue to transform their lives, and that is what this bill delivers—a stronger, safer and more sustainable NDIS that will continue changing lives for decades to come. Question agreed to.