By Natasha Clark
Member for Durack Melissa Price has slammed upcoming changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, warning the reforms will hurt regional WA鈥檚 practitioners and their clients.
The changes to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, due to come into effect from today, are part of the Albanese Government鈥檚 push to rein in the scheme鈥檚 rising costs.
The plan aims to reduce annual spending growth from 15 per cent to 8 per cent by aligning therapy prices with national benchmarks.
While Ms Price agrees the NDIS needs reform, she says uniform pricing ignores the higher costs of delivering services across remote areas like Durack.
鈥淭he NDIS has blown out beyond its original intent and clearly needs serious reform,鈥 Ms Price said.
鈥淗owever, that reform must be fair, informed and grounded in real world experience. Ripping funding out of the regions should not be the first step.鈥
Ms Price said she had been contacted by allied health professionals across Durack, particularly in the Pilbara, and the Kimberley, who fear the removal of regional loadings and reduced travel support will force them to cut services or shut up shop altogether.
鈥淭hese are small, often women-led, businesses 鈥 speech pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists etc. 鈥 who have chosen to work in remote communities,鈥 she said.
鈥淭hese changes put their livelihoods, and their clients鈥 care, at serious risk.鈥
The Coalition has also raised concerns about the sudden nature of the announcement, which it says came with no warning and leaves little time for providers or participants to adjust.
鈥淚t is not feasible for providers and participants to adapt service delivery at such short notice,鈥 Ms Price said.
鈥淭his is yet another example of the Albanese Government鈥檚 failure to consult the sector or understand the reality on the ground.鈥
In response, Ms Price said she and the Coalition have written to the Minister for Disability and the NDIS, Mark Butler, calling for a three-month deferral of the changes to allow proper planning and consultation.
鈥淭he Government must explain how regional providers are expected to adapt without harming participants,鈥 she said.
鈥淭he Coalition will continue to monitor the impact and hold the Government to account for any negative outcomes for NDIS participants.鈥
The Kimberley Echo has contacted Minister for the NDIS Jenny McAllister for comment.