CANBERRA — Australian Health Minister Mark Butler stated that extending the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) parliamentary inquiry by six months could cost the federal budget billions of dollars. The inquiry into NDIS modifications is scheduled to publish its findings on Tuesday.

The Coalition and the Australian Greens have criticized the legislative schedule for proposed modifications to the scheme, negative gearing, and capital gains tax. These parties possess combined voting numbers in the Senate that could force an extension of inquiries into the proposed legislation. Jonno Duniam advocated for a delayed legislative passage of scheme and tax reform bills to allow for extended parliamentary review.

Butler said additional time would delay needed improvements to the scheme. He further stated, "It would be six months more without the reform that the scheme needs. Six months more of people receiving services that aren't as good as they should be because a lot of the reforms that we're putting in place are to improve the quality of supports and services, to improve arrangements around integrity and fighting fraud." The scheme currently provides funding and support to more than 760,000 Australian residents with disabilities.

Disability advocacy organizations and scheme service providers presented objections to the proposed modifications during scheduled public hearings. State and territory disability ministers indicated they lack the administrative capacity to replace support services for more than 200,000 participants scheduled for transition off the scheme by 2031.

Federal budget projections indicate that eligibility restrictions for the scheme will reduce program expenditures by at least $37.8 billion through 2030. Butler said, "Angus Taylor is simply trying to use this as a pawn in a bigger chess game that he's seeking to play about other areas of the budget." A parliamentary hearing concerning adjustments to capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing is scheduled to commence on Monday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers withdrew proposed modifications to the capital gains tax structure.