The groundbreaking and widely popular National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) when introduced by Labor almost three years ago called for it to begin its transition to the full scheme by July 2016 – requiring all states and territories to sign up to it.

Delegates to the national disability services CEOs conference recently heard there was no room to delay the start of the transition to the full National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across Australia from July 1 next year, as originally planned when Labor passed its legislation in 2013.

Shadow minister for disability reform, Jenny Macklin said she did not support any delay to the rollout.

“This is for one simple reason: people with disability have waited long enough,” Macklin told the conference. “They should not have to wait any longer.

“I am conscious of the skill and toil put into making the scheme a success thus far, and I know it will get more challenging as we ramp up, not less,” she said.

“People with disability, their families and service providers now have some certainty.”

Bilateral agreements for the full scheme have been finalised in the ACT, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

“They were a long time coming, but it is great news for all those who have fought so hard to secure the future of the NDIS,” said Macklin.

“The agreements mean that people with disability, their families and service providers now have some certainty about the nature of the rollout,” she said.

“The bilateral agreements with these remaining jurisdictions must be secured and signed as a matter of urgency.

“We will keep listening to you, and learning from you.”

“Participants and families need this certainty, and they need this time to get ready for an entirely new approach to accessing care and support.”

Labor has committed to contributing to the public discussion on the NDIS and on broader disability policy.

“We will do what we can to ensure the NDIS delivers its core promise to the people who need it: the promise of decency, security, independence and opportunity,” the shadow minister said.

“And we will keep listening to you, and learning from you, as you help carry out this once-in-a-generation, transformational social change.

“Building the NDIS thus far has been challenging, and I know it will get more challenging still.

“It will require you to keep leading this change — to keep changing lives,” she said.

Federal Labor believes that there is now little doubt that the Coalition plans to increase the GST to 15 per cent with the recent leaking of Treasury documents.

The embarrassing leaking of Treasury documents exposes Malcolm Turnbull’s plans for a 15 per cent GST and gives the prime minister no choice but to come clean on his GST plans.

“We’ve always known that Malcolm Turnbull wasn’t being upfront with Australians about his plans for a 15 per cent GST, and now the proof is in,” said Labor’s shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen.

“Leaked Council of Australian Governments (COAG) documents expose Malcolm Turnbull’s plans for a 15 per cent GST on the price of everything.

“Reports show Treasury has been commissioned to model a whole range of GST scenarios,” Bowen said.

The options being considered at COAG include a plan to increase the GST to 15 per cent and to broaden the base.

“Liberals would go to any length to dud low and middle income households.”

“The documents also reveal a tricky and misleading Liberal government that is trying pull the wool over Australians’ eyes when it comes to any GST compensation,” Bowen said, “in which they state:

Public commitments around which households would be fully compensated should be avoided. Decisions about compensation will be more informed once the impacts of various options have been modelled. Making commitments now risks overcompensation for households and adding significantly to the cost of household assistance.

“The leaked documents demonstrate that the Liberal Party would go to any length to dud low and middle income households.

“For families already struggling to keep their heads above water, increasing the GST will push up the cost of living, make everything more expensive and leave families worse off.

“Stop hiding behind the ‘states made me do it alibi’.”

“Every time they have to pay a bill, visit a supermarket, take the kids to the doctor, buy new school books, it will all cost more.

“That’s why Labor will not support Mr Turnbull’s plan to raise the GST.

“Malcolm Turnbull and his treasurer need to stop hiding behind the ‘states made me do it alibi’; this is their plan to increase the GST,” the shadow treasurer added.