National Disability Insurance Agency spending on consultants and contractors has blown out under the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government.
 
Figures reported today show it has multiplied by over 600% over two years – from $70 million in 2016 to $430 million in 2018.
 
The focus for the National Disability Insurance Scheme should go towards improving support and services for people with disability – not lining the pockets of consultants and multinationals.
 
This multimillion dollar blow out on contractors and consultants is the direct result of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government’s arbitrary cap on NDIA staff, forcing the agency to outsource its core functions.
 
Local Area Coordination and Early Childhood Early Intervention services are critically important parts of the NDIS. However, outsourcing in other core areas is now out-of-control.
 
Labor will abolish the Liberals’ arbitrary staffing cap so that more permanent, well-trained and dedicated staff can deliver on the promise of the NDIS - saving millions on corporate consultancies and outsourcing and improving services.
 
The Liberals have hollowed out the Australian Public Service, and imposed arbitrary staff caps, which have seen a blowout in spending on consultants and labour-hire, and poor morale among public servants.
 
The Liberals’ attacks on the public service have forced Government agencies to spend more taxpayer money on less.
 
There’s a time and place for expert external advice, but wasting taxpayer money is not acceptable, especially with record and growing debt on the Liberals’ watch.
 
Scott Morrison and Mathias Cormann need to realise Australians need good services and genuine value for money, not out-of-touch and out-of-whack priorities that waste more taxpayer money and deliver less in return.
 
Australians deserve to know how much of their money is going to contractors, consultants and labour hire.