In The Media | 6 March 2017

Porter hits out at WA over NDIS

The Federal Government has delivered an embarrassing smackdown to Premier Colin Barnett, rubbishing the report his Government used to justify taking State control of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Social Services Minister and former WA treasurer Christian Porter has come out swinging against the decision, which exposes WA to more risk and an extra $106 million or more in annual administration and running costs compared to other states.

The West Australian revealed yesterday the report backed the Barnett Government’s claim that its State-run approach to the NDIS was the best option.

The independent report, by Stantons International, was made public by the State Government yesterday after months of stonewalling. It was criticised last night by Social Services departmental officials, who told a Senate estimates hearing it was not in the public interest for WA to release the report because it was of poor quality.

Mr Porter said the WA Government had put a great deal of importance on the report that matched its long-standing position of not joining a nationally run NDIS.

Source: The West Australian