NDIS reform likely to pass with 63 amendments, Health Minister Mark Butler says
Four months after they were first announced, the government has announced a massive update on reforms to the NDIS.
The Albanese Government’s controversial plan to massively reform the NDIS by cracking down on fraud and booting more than 100,000 people from the scheme will likely pass into law after finding support from the Coalition.
Health Minister Mark Butler said on Tuesday afternoon the government was confident the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 would pass the Senate that night.
It will then return to the lower house where Labor has a sweeping majority.
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Mr Butler said the Bill would face some 63 amendments – 30 already from the lower house, and 33 from the upper house.
The changes had been “negotiated largely with the Coalition”, he said.
“Some are relatively technical, but some are relatively substantial as well. They will ensure that this Bill is the best version it can be.”
Mr Butler thanked opposition spokeswoman for the NDIS Melissa McIntosh, who he said had been “firm but constructive” in her approach to securing bipartisan support.
NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister said the government had “sought to listen”.
“That’s meant listening to people across the parliament, but it’s also meant working with the disability community since April to talk through the practical implementation of the reform program we announced,” she said.
An extended probe in the Senate – agreed to as part of a deal with the Greens – handed down its report on Friday.
Following lengthy negotiations with the Coalition, the amendments will include new civil and criminal penalties for offering or providing kickbacks.
“There will be tough new aggravated integrity offences, including obtaining funds by deception, providing false or misleading information, or abuse of position of position as a participant’s nominee or for intentionally destroying records,” Senator McAllister said.
“There will be further whistleblower protections, and these will add to the measures that are already in the Bill that seek to preserve the scheme’s social license.”
Senator McAllister said the Greens had also put forward their proposed amendments.
“Building on those contributions, we will move an amendment in the Senate to establish an escalation pathway,” she said.
“This will make sure that a high risk participant can apply for a plan variation so their needs can continue to be made.”
Originally published as NDIS reform likely to pass with 63 amendments, Health Minister Mark Butler says
