The long overdue increase to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) prices is a reflection that current prices were so low they did not even allow basic employment conditions to be met, according to HSU National.
Branches of HSU National proudly advocate for workers in the disability sector.
“The price increase is good news for NDIS participants and the committed, passionate and skilled Disability Support Workers around Australia,” said HSU National Secretary Lloyd Williams.
“Over two years ago now, the HSU warned the Government that low prices were pushing the NDIS into crisis. Today, more than 40% of the workforce is casual, training budgets are being slashed and longstanding sick leave and long-service leave entitlements are being cut”
“But instead of acting two years ago, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government decided to spend $9m of taxpayers money on highly paid consultants to recommend pricing changes that barely scratched the surface of the scale of the problem.”
“Today’s overdue announcement goes some way to addressing the workforce crisis facing the NDIS. All workers in the disability sector want to create a fair, equitable and quality NDIS that people with disabilities so rightly demanded.”
While the increase is between 10.9% and 20.4% – 7.5% of the increase is temporary and this urgently needed funding is only effective after 1 July 2019. At the same time, workers are still facing a claim by the NSW Business Chamber to introduce ‘cut-rate casuals’ into their Award.
“This Government just stumbles from one stuff-up to the next on disability. Whether its them being dragged kicking and screaming to establish a Royal Commission into abuse in the sector or last week’s damaging NDIS Market and Workforce,” said Mr Williams, “Let’s hope this is the start of a genuine commitment to the NDIS from this Government.”
ENDS
Notes: HSU branches are campaigning to put the heart back in the NDIS, read more about the campaign here:
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