Crossbench Senators Decry Labor's Rapid NDIS Overhaul as Threat to Disabled Australians

A final Senate inquiry report released Friday featured harsh criticism from Greens senator Jordon Steele-John and independent David Pocock, who described the Albanese government’s NDIS reform as “too far, too fast.” The legislation aims to curb the $52 billion program by tightening eligibility, imposing functional capacity assessments from 2028, and granting the NDIS minister Mark Butler power to slash individual funding categories by up to 99%, including a 50% cut for social participation.

While the Labor-chaired committee advised the bill’s passage, opponents warn it could devastate the lives of more than 770,000 disabled Australians and shift caregiving responsibilities onto families, disproportionately affecting women. The Greens suggested funding the scheme through a gas export tax, accusing the government of favoring corporate profits over disabled people’s wellbeing. Disability advocates, including Women With Disabilities Australia’s Sophie Cusworth, called for a gender impact assessment, and the government is expected to negotiate with the opposition to secure Senate approval next week.