‘Christmas has come early’: Govt pulls off ‘extraordinary trifecta’ with NDIS funding

Aruma Chief Executive and former NDIA board member Dr Martin Laverty says “Christmas has come early” as the Albanese government pulled off an “extraordinary trifecta” to get more funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. State and territory leaders agreed to tip more money into disability services, to take pressure off of the NDIS, at the National Cabinet on Wednesday. They agreed to a 50-50 funding arrangement to cover disability services, which are known as foundational supports. “I think the government has actually pulled off an extraordinary trifecta – they’ve been able to invite the states to contribute more to funding the NDIS,” Dr Laverty told Sky News Australia. “They’ve committed with the states to establishing a new funding program outside the NDIS which could deliver up to $3 billion per annum to foundational supports. “There is no cuts to the NDIS – that feels like Christmas has come early and the federation is really to be commended.”