Forrest MP Ben Small slams NDIS changes for ‘unfair disadvantage’ for regional communities across South West

Federal Member for Forrest Ben Small has slammed new changes to the National Disability Insurance Agency, saying they present an “unfair disadvantage” for regional communities across the South West. As of July 1, the national agency managing the National Disability Insurance Scheme has cut travel subsidies paid to allied health providers by 50 per cent. The move caught the ire of several medical professionals, with multiple peak bodies calling last month to halt and review the NDIS pricing decision before its implementation. In a statement, an Australian Physiotherapy Association spokesperson said the decision to cut price limits and travel expenses for physiotherapists and other allied health professionals was not only short-sighted, but neglectful. “These changes will not save money,” they said. “They will shift costs downstream and increase the cost of care to Australia’s broader healthcare system as the functional mobility of NDIS participants deteriorates from diminished access to the vital care they need.” Mr Small said local therapists had contacted him in growing numbers, expressing concerns about the sustainability of their practices and small businesses under the new pricing model. “The cuts to service charge rates pose a significant threat to their ability to continue operating, where extensive travel to clients’ homes is often essential to deliver effective, person-centred care,” Mr Small said. “It should not take complaints through a member of Parliament’s office for participants to receive assistance with getting through the red tape and bureaucracy to access the help that they need — yet this has become the only course of action for many families in our community.” Mr Small said despite serious concerns, Federal Health Minister Mr Mark Butler MP had dismissed local feedback. He said Mr Butler’s response failed to acknowledge the realities of service delivery in regional WA, where vast distances and limited infrastructure demanded a different approach. Mr Small will be inviting affected stakeholders to meetings in Bunbury and Busselton in the coming weeks to package up local concerns to take to Parliament. Mr Butler was contacted for comment.