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AAP
AAP
Andrew Brown and Noah Secomb

'Too far, too fast': alarm as NDIS revamp moves closer

NDIS reforms appear set to pass, despite strong opposition from disability groups and some MPs. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Controversial changes to the NDIS appear set to pass federal parliament, despite significant concerns the overhaul goes "too far, too fast".

A Labor-led Senate inquiry recommended the disability scheme reforms come into effect, with a deal between the government and the coalition looming.

The changes would cut $37.8 billion from the NDIS over four years and remove 160,000 participants by tightening eligibility requirements.

While the measures have been promoted as a way to slow growth of the scheme and reduce fraudulent activity, crossbench senators remain unconvinced of the need for reform.

NDIS spending graphic
The federal government wants to curb NDIS expenditure growth in the next four years. (Susie Dodds/AAP PHOTOS)

In a dissenting report, Greens disability spokesman Jordon Steele-John said the changes would be devastating and cause serious harm for disabled Australians.

"(The bill) goes too far, too fast and should not pass the parliament," he said.

"These impacts will be felt across the disability community and the broader care economy.

"These reforms will take the NDIS further from its original intent, and will remove so many disabled people from being able to participate in our community, including from the workforce."

The Greens also called for a workplace plan so the fallout of any changes to the NDIS could be mitigated before being brought into effect.

The legislation is part of efforts to move people with lower needs off the federal scheme and onto state-based foundational supports, the first of which, Thriving Kids, is due to begin in October.

Disability advocate Skye Kakoschke-Moore
Disability advocate Skye Kakoschke-Moore says the bill should not pass in its current form. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

The prime minister flagged his intention to pass the bill in his address to the Labor caucus on Monday, after speaking with Liberal leader Angus Taylor.

While the opposition did not provide a dissenting report, coalition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said the reforms would not address fraud within the NDIS.

"The bill fails to adequately meet the expectation of Australians for greater integrity of the scheme and will not improve the scheme's social licence," she said.

Advocates have raised concerns the new system is not ready, with many people with a disability unsure where they will land.

"The stakes are particularly high for children and young people with disability and their families ... if the proposed changes to access, eligibility, and parental responsibility go ahead," Children and Young People With Disability Australia chief executive Skye Kakoschke-Moore said.

"No such reforms should proceed until and unless high-quality alternative supports are ready."

The Senate inquiry into Labor's NDIS reforms
The Senate inquiry's report into Labor's proposed NDIS reforms has been handed down. (Jay Kogler/AAP PHOTOS)

The Disability Advocacy Network Australia holds a similar view, warning the legislation "risks causing foreseeable harm to people with disability".

"DANA supports genuine, well-sequenced reform that creates a sustainable NDIS while ensuring that no person with disability loses access," the representative body said.

In a joint statement, 12 disability advocacy organisations said the reforms cannot pass parliament in their current form.

"We remain concerned that significant decisions affecting funding and scheme operation are still to be settled, rather than embedded in the primary legislation itself," the statement read.

"Reform must be genuine and well-sequenced. It must guarantee that people are not diverted from, or lose, NDIS supports unless alternative supports are funded, operational, accessible and available in practice."

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