The federal health minister, Mark Butler, outlined a plan to the National Press Club today that will reset the NDIS to its original intent and save it for those who need it the most. His reform agenda looks very similar to the blueprint the Productivity Commission proposed in 2011.

Since then, the cost of the NDIS has blown out to twice as much as envisaged by the commission, because twice as many people have entered the scheme than was intended. Our best chance of protecting the NDIS for those who need it the most, is to plan legislative reform to redefine those who will access the scheme and the types of services funded through the scheme.

The scheme was not designed to meet the needs of everyone with a disability. Rather, it was meant for those people with permanent and the most significant disabilities. In years past, others........

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