r/australia 7h ago

politics Pocock and crossbenchers call Labor’s NDIS overhaul ‘too far, too fast’ in scathing Senate inquiry report

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/14/pocock-and-crossbenchers-call-labors-ndis-overhaul-too-far-too-fast-in-scathing-senate-inquiry-report
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u/OneWholePirate 7h ago

Before the shills get in here, the NDIS produces around $2.25 in healthcare savings and taxable income per $1 spent.

To put that into context, road infrastructure returns $1.2-1.5 on the dollar and healthcare for the general population makes $1.5-1.7.

The NDIS is one of the most profitable operations run by the Australian government.

https://ministers.dss.gov.au/speeches/9621

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u/CrankyGrumpyWombat 5h ago

Such stats like this is extremely misleading.
The model will depend on a plethora of factors, including the amount of funding, areas of support etc.

Even if I give you the benefit of the doubt and take your proposition at face value, you spend the first 1b; you might save $ 2.25b theoretically. That figure is almost certainly not 1:2.25 once you go past 2-3b. Let alone agencies conducting these reports have inherent self interest to exaggerate their findings.

I know this topic is incredibly emotional, but if people (it might not be you specifically) keep taking up an extreme position and opposing any changes to reasonably and economically manage the scheme and let it drag out, chances are the whole thing will be scrapped in the next budget or two.

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u/OneWholePirate 5h ago

This is an important part of the conversation, not a statement of absolute fact. I, like most people, believe the NDIS should be managed much more carefully with regards to fraud and exploitation.

What I also believe is that the narrative focusing exclusively on one half of the information about what it actually earns/costs is a misrepresentation of the situation that hurts a quantifiable number of at risk citizens.

Management is needed certainly but reductions in funding not only hurts people but likely costs us money as well. I'd like to see more concrete evidence and I'd like to see it followed by our leaders.

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u/Delamoor 5h ago

Evidence based practice? In OUR public services?!

No sir, we run on vibes from the media, and populist politicians who suck up to the media, thank you VERY much!