The Greens have argued Labor's proposed reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme are 'punching down' on the very people the scheme is designed to protect and vowed to fight the bill. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Greens senator Nick McKim told the ABC's 7:30 program on Tuesday night, 'we are absolutely committed to fighting this bill with every tool in our toolkit'.
The Greens secured an eight-week delay in the passage of the NDIS reforms, in exchange for their support in passing the Labor government's key budget tax reforms to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount.
McKim said his party would continue to oppose the NDIS reforms: 'we want to see this bill killed.'
'We've delayed it for eight weeks and achieved some amendments that will take some of the worst elements out of this bill.'
'When this eight-week period is done, if we need another inquiry or more delay, that's what we will be moving for.'
McKim said Labor's changes would cause harm to people currently supported by the NDIS: 'the withdrawal of desperately needed supports that allow disabled Australians to live a more dignified life and respite and relief for families who put so much into supporting disabled family members'.
The NDIS is Australia's national disability insurance scheme, aimed at providing necessary services and support to people with disabilities. The Labor government's reforms are intended to reduce costs and ensure the scheme's sustainability. However, the Greens argue these changes will make life harder for people with disabilities.
According to McKim, the Greens will continue to fight the bill and seek additional delays if needed. He accused the Labor Party of ignoring the interests of people with disabilities.
This situation reflects tensions in Australian politics, where agreements between the Greens and the Labor Party allow the government to pass important reforms, but opposition parties resist changes that contradict their core principles.