ABC Illawarra - NDIS Changes

E&OE TRANSCRIPT

RADIO NEWS BULLETIN

ABC ILLAWARRA

THURSDAY, 23 APRIL 2026

SUBJECTS: NDIS Changes

[START]

PENNY BURFITT, HOST: Whitlam MP Carol Berry says the Federal Government's plan for sweeping cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme in the next four years is necessary. The Government plans to remove about 160,000 participants from the scheme and rein in spending by tightening eligibility and cracking down on fraudulent behaviour. Ms Berry says she's confident the proposed changes will help the NDIS operate at its intended capacity.

CAROL BERRY MP: While I think this will be a period of change, none of these changes will kick in terms of eligibility until the beginning of 2028, but I think it is important that we really do return to the roots of what the mjs was intended to deliver.

HOST: The Illawarra Community Industry Group's advocacy lead, Birth, says while they're waiting for more details, providers are initially hopeful about the proposed changes.

There is a sort of a cautious optimism about some of the things that we have heard, particularly from reputable registered providers that are operating in the system and trying to make their way under quite difficult circumstances.

[END]

#NDIS # NDISChanges #PeoplewithDisabilities