Michelle Landry
Capricornia · National Party · Australia
“Labor went to the Australian people before the election and promised one thing, and on budget night they did another. Now, in a dangerous and dishonest deal with the Greens, they have gone even further. Australians were told that there'd be no changes to negative gearing and no changes to capital gains tax.”
“It puts new pressure on housing, on savings, on investment, on small business and on younger Australians who are already struggling to get a foothold. This is not tax reform; this is a toxic tax agenda.”
“I recognise the specialist doctors who have helped make this level of care possible, including Dr Marie Burke, radiation oncologist and medical director for Queensland; Dr Tuan Ha, radiation oncologist for Queensland; and Rockhampton based radiation oncologists Dr Grant Buchanan and Dr Rodrigo Diaz.”
“For patients from Rockhampton, Gladstone, the Capricorn Coast, Emerald and all the communities in between, having radiation therapy available locally has meant less time on the road, less time away from work and family, and more time focused on getting well. GenesisCare Rockhampton has played a vital role in making that possible.”
“I rise today to congratulate GenesisCare Rockhampton on a very special milestone—10 years of caring for cancer patients in Central Queensland and more than 100,000 treatments delivered right here in our region.”
“A decade later it is wonderful to see how much that service has grown, how many local people have been helped and how dedicated the GenesisCare team remains to patients across our region. On a recent visit to the Rockhampton centre I was again struck by the professionalism and compassion of the staff.”
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“It puts new pressure on housing, on savings, on investment, on small business and on younger Australians who are already struggling to get a foothold. This is not tax reform; this is a toxic tax agenda. It tells Australians who work hard, save carefully, invest for their future or take a risk to build a business that the government will change the rules when it suits them. In regional communities like mine, people understand what these decisions mean. They will all be left paying the price for Labor's broken promises. Australians deserve honesty from their government. They deserve stability. They deserve policies that reward hard work, not punish it. The coalition will stand against these toxic taxes and we will stand up for Australians who simply want a fair go.”
“Labor went to the Australian people before the election and promised one thing, and on budget night they did another. Now, in a dangerous and dishonest deal with the Greens, they have gone even further. Australians were told that there'd be no changes to negative gearing and no changes to capital gains tax. Australians took the Prime Minister at his word. Homeowners, investors, small businesses and young people trying to get ahead made decisions based on that promise. But on budget night Labor betrayed them. They announced tax changes that will punish aspiration, discourage investment and make it even harder to build houses this country desperately needs. Now Labor has stitched up a deal with the Greens to ram these changes through the parliament. That deal does not give Australians certainty; it gives them more risk.”
“Your care, skill and dedication have made a real difference to thousands of Central Queensland families. On behalf of the people of Capricornia, I congratulate GenesisCare Rockhampton on 10 years of service and the incredible achievement of delivering more than 100,000 treatments.”
“I recognise the specialist doctors who have helped make this level of care possible, including Dr Marie Burke, radiation oncologist and medical director for Queensland; Dr Tuan Ha, radiation oncologist for Queensland; and Rockhampton based radiation oncologists Dr Grant Buchanan and Dr Rodrigo Diaz. Their expertise, leadership and commitment to regional cancer care are an important part of why patients in Central Queensland can receive high-quality treatment closer to home. I also acknowledge the leadership and support of David Watts, the general manager in Queensland; Linda Feeney, the centre leader in Rockhampton; and the nurses, radiation therapists, administration staff, allied health teams, support workers and local health partners who have contributed to the success of GenesisCare Rockhampton over the last 10 years.”
“A decade later it is wonderful to see how much that service has grown, how many local people have been helped and how dedicated the GenesisCare team remains to patients across our region. On a recent visit to the Rockhampton centre I was again struck by the professionalism and compassion of the staff. The milestone of 100,000 treatments is impressive, but behind that number are real people who have been able to receive treatment closer to home. That is exactly the kind of service regional communities need—practical, compassionate care delivered locally by people who understand the patients and families they are supporting.”
“For patients from Rockhampton, Gladstone, the Capricorn Coast, Emerald and all the communities in between, having radiation therapy available locally has meant less time on the road, less time away from work and family, and more time focused on getting well. GenesisCare Rockhampton has played a vital role in making that possible. Based at Rockhampton Hospital, it has helped ensure Central Queenslanders can access high-quality evidence based radiation therapy without having to travel to Brisbane or other major centres. I've been proud to support this service over many years. In 2015 I had the privilege of being involved in the opening of the new cancer services building at Rockhampton Hospital. At the time it was a major step forward for cancer care in Central Queensland.”
“I rise today to congratulate GenesisCare Rockhampton on a very special milestone—10 years of caring for cancer patients in Central Queensland and more than 100,000 treatments delivered right here in our region. That is something worth celebrating because anyone who lives in regional Queensland knows how important it is to have quality health care close to home. When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, life changes in an instant. The last thing patients and their families need is the extra stress of travelling hundreds of kilometres for treatment, finding accommodation away from home or being separated from the people who support them most.”
“They give local families even more reasons to stay, spend and enjoy everything our region has to offer. I will always back investments and local attractions that help our communities grow and thrive. I encourage everyone to get out, support local and enjoy everything the Capricorn Coast has to offer.”
“From the up close encounters to the passionate knowledge of the team, Koorana is the kind of place that leaves a real impression and shows off the best of our region. I had my grandson with me on the day, and while he was a little unsure about holding a baby croc at first, he soon found his courage and absolutely loved it. That is what makes places like Koorana so special. During COVID, I was proud to support the farm through its adopt-a-croc program, and it was lovely to be back to see Mason and Maggie, the crocodiles I sponsored during that time. Whether it's a fantastic new aquatic centre for local families or a unique tourism experience like Koorana, these places are incredibly important to our region. They support local jobs, bring visitors to the area and showcase the very best of Central Queensland.”
“It is an investment in water safety, health and recreation and will benefit local families, schools, sporting groups and visitors for years to come. It's the sort of community facility that becomes part of everyday life, where kids learn to swim, clubs train and families come together. It is very fitting that the centre is named after Brian Dorey OAM, whose contribution to local sport and recreation has left such a strong legacy on the Capricorn Coast. It's wonderful to see that legacy honoured in a facility that will serve the community well into the future. I really enjoyed my visit to Koorana Crocodile Farm. Established in 1981 by John and Lillian Lever and now run with their son Adam, it is one of those truly unique local attractions that we are so lucky to have on the Capricorn Coast.”
“I recently had the pleasure of attending the Brian Dorey OAM Capricorn Coast Aquatic Centre and visiting Koorana Crocodile Farm on the Capricorn Coast. They are very different places, but both show exactly what makes our region so special. When we support local tourism and community infrastructure, we create opportunities for local jobs, bring people together and make Capricornia an even better place to live and visit. The opening of the Brian Dorey OAM Capricorn Coast Aquatic Centre was a really proud moment for our community. With $13 million in Commonwealth funding, this project has delivered a new 50-metre heated pool, modern facilities, better accessibility, upgraded filtration, shade areas and community spaces for locals to enjoy.”
“In Capricornia, people do not want carve-outs for bad policy. They want a government that trusts them, backs them and gets out of their way. The people of Central Queensland know the value of hard work, self-reliance and backing yourself. They deserve a tax system and an economy that reflects those values, and the coalition will always stand for an Australia where effort is rewarded, aspiration is encouraged, and the next generation is given more opportunity, not less.”
“At its core, this debate is about what kind of country we want to be—one where government sees every pay rise, every investment gain, every family asset and every small business success as another opportunity to tax; or one that still believes in aspiration, reward for effort and the idea that, if you work hard, save, invest and build something, you should be able to get ahead. Labor's approach is built on broken promises, higher taxes and the belief that government should always take more. The coalition's alternative is lower taxes, lower inflation, and an economy designed to back the self-starters of this nation, not kneecap them. We will fight these toxic taxes tooth and nail. We support relief where it's genuine, but we reject the broader tax raid on families, renters, first home buyers, small businesses and young Australians.”
“That includes making the $50,000 instant asset write-off permanent for eligible small businesses so that when a tradie buys a ute, a cafe upgrades equipment or a contractor invests in tools, they can grow with confidence. It also means backing startups and entrepreneurs rather than treating them as an easy source of revenue in an economy increasingly shaped by technology and innovation. Australia should be attracting ambitious founders and skilled workers, not driving them offshore by taxing risk and claiming the upside. The coalition wants an economy that rewards initiative. Labor is building one that punishes it.”
“But Labor still sees a chance to take more. These tax changes reach into the retirement plans, succession plans and investment decisions of the people who have done the hard work, taken the risks and employed local people. In regional Australia, a small business is often a family's life savings. It's their retirement plan. It's their legacy. It's the first job for young people in the community. Labor says the government is entitled to a bigger stake of that. The coalition says a life's work should be respected, not raided. The coalition's alternative is to back the self-starters, not punish them with lower, simpler and more predictable tax settings.”
“Repeal is only part of the answer. We also need common sense on housing and migration, investment in enabling infrastructure and a clear focus on supply rather than punishment. When governments get housing policy wrong, renters and young Australians cop it first. Labor talks about intergenerational fairness, but young people are being hit from every angle. They rent for longer, face higher rents when investment leaves the market, and then cop a bigger tax hit when they try to build a deposit. That is not fairness; that is intergenerational betrayal. The same contrast runs through small business policy. Across Capricornia, small businesses are under enormous pressure. They are battling higher insurance, freight wages, rent, power bills and input costs, and many are still rebuilding confidence after years of strain.”
“Labor says its tax changes are about fairness and first home buyers, but the government's own material points in the opposite direction—fewer incentives to invest, lower confidence and fewer homes. When you tax something, you get less of it. If you tax housing investment more heavily, you get less housing investment. Restrict negative gearing and change the capital gains rules at the same time, and you do not create affordability. You shake confidence, reduce supply and tighten the market. Labor recalls that reform. In reality, it is a wrecking ball through the very investment that helps deliver rental stock and new housing. The coalition's position is straightforward. We oppose the capital gains tax changes and the negative gearing changes. If these measures become law under Labor, a coalition government will repeal them.”
“The coalition backs aspiration. For the people I represent in Capricornia, that difference is not theoretical. It is the worker in a mining camp doing overtime and seeing more of it disappear. It's the nurse or aged-care worker picking up extra shifts because the bills do not stop. It is a tradie paying more for fuel, materials and insurance. It is the cafe owner on the Capricornia coast working weekends just to keep the doors open. It's the family in Rockhampton looking at a pay rise and realising it still will not stretch far enough, because groceries, power, rent and mortgage repayments have all gone up. Labor's answer is more intervention and more tax. The coalition's answer is to restore the confidence that work will pay, saving will matter and enterprise will be worth the risk. The contrast is just as stark on housing.”
“Labor offers a headline-friendly offset while designing a tax system that reaches deeper into people's futures. The coalition will support genuine relief, but we will not pretend these small sweeteners cancel out the wider assault on aspiration. This is the fundamental difference between Labor and the coalition. Labor sees the economy from the top down—more tax, more redistribution and more dependence on government. The coalition sees it from the ground up, built by workers, families, investors, small business owners and self-starters who take risks and create opportunity. Labor's instinct is to tax the very behaviour Australia needs more of savings, investing, building and backing yourself. The coalition's instinct is to remove barriers, reward effort and create the conditions for growth. Labor manages decline.”
“The coalition's model says that, if Australians earn more because prices have risen, they should keep more of what they earn. This is the difference between a government that manages decline and an opposition that wants to restore reward for effort. Let us be clear. The bill includes the working Australians tax offset and the $1,000 standard deduction. The coalition supports those measures, but they sit beside a much bigger agenda of higher taxes on savings, investment and enterprise. Schedule 1 changes capital gains tax. Schedule 2 changes negative gearing, and buried in the broader agenda is a tax hit on family savings and discretionary trusts. This is Labor's pattern: give a little with one hand and take much more with the other.”
“Labor says it wants to help with the cost of living, while benefiting when inflation drags workers into higher tax over time. This is not fairness. It is government balancing its books on the backs of people trying to keep up. The coalition's approach is the opposite. We believe the tax system should reward work not punish it. That is why the coalition's tax-back guarantee would index income tax thresholds to inflation so Australians are not taxed more simply because prices have gone up. It is a structural reform not a temporary patch. It would protect around 85 per cent of income earners from 2028-29, with a relief of about $250 in year 1, growing to more than $1,000 a year by year 4, before extending to all taxpayers. Labor's model said government should quietly benefit when workers are dragged into higher tax brackets.”
“They ask why families who save are treated as a revenue source, why renters are hit with higher costs, why first home buyers are being priced out and why small businesses are expected to carry more of the load. Labor's answer is always the same: more tax, more complexity and more excuses. The coalition's answer is different. We believe that people who work hard, save hard and take risks should be backed, not bled dry. Bracket creep is one of the clearest examples. Australians understand it because they live it. Inflation pushes wages up on paper. Workers move into a higher tax bracket, and the government takes a bigger slice, even though their buying power has barely improved. It is a quiet tax hike built into the system, and Labor relies on it.”
“I rise today to speak on tax reform. For families and small businesses in Capricornia, this is not an abstract debate in Canberra; it's about whether people who work hard can get ahead, whether a pay rise still means something at the kitchen table and whether regional Australians are rewarded for effort or punished for it. Across Central Queensland, people are doing everything right, but they feel like they are running harder just to stand still. This is the reality of Labor's economy, and that is why this debate matters. In Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Emu Park, Sarina, Mirani, Moranbah and Dysart, people are not asking for more spin. They are asking for relief. They are asking why every time they get ahead a little, Canberra reaches further into their pockets.”
“My question is to the Minister for Housing. The government's toxic tax bills do not define what a new build is. If someone builds a new second dwelling on an existing title, is the whole title now considered a new dwelling?”
“It means ensuring that, as prices rise, people are not pushed into paying more tax when they are no better off. For regional communities like Capricornia, that matters. When costs go up, whether it's fuel, groceries or running a local business, people feel every dollar. When government policy makes it harder instead of easier, it puts real strain on regional economies. Our approach is simple: reward hard work, support local jobs and back small businesses so they can grow and employ more Australians. We want to see families able to get ahead, young people able to afford a house and communities able to thrive, not being held back by higher taxes and uncertainty. Australians deserve a government that understands the pressures they face and acts to ease them, not deepen them. That is exactly why we're committed to delivering.”
“Australians are doing it tough, and nowhere is that felt more clearly than in communities like Capricornia. Families, small businesses and workers are battling rising costs, higher interest rates and pressure on household budgets. I'm being contacted regularly by constituents who are deeply concerned about the cost of living. That is why Labor's push for new taxes on millions of Australians is so deeply concerning. At a time when people are trying to get ahead, this government is asking them to pay more. On this side, we have a very different view. We believe Australians deserve relief, not more burden. We will axe Labor's toxic taxes and deliver bigger, automatic tax cuts to help with the cost of living. What does that mean in practice? It means putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Australians every single year.”
“Government must do its part by reducing red tape, easing compliance burdens, improving access to skilled workers and ensuring small businesses are not punished by rising taxes and costs they cannot absorb. But every one of us has a role to play as well. Every time we choose to shop local, recommend a local business or use a local tradie, we help protect jobs and keep our communities strong. If we want our towns to thrive, we must stand with the people who take the risk, employ local workers and invest in our communities every single day. During Queensland Small Business Month, I encourage everyone across Capricornia and Australia to back local businesses, because they have always backed us. When small business succeeds, Capricornia succeeds.”
“Business owners tell me they cannot always find the staff they need, whether that is apprentices, hospitality workers, qualified tradespeople or experienced admin staff, many are filling the gaps themselves. They're working earlier, staying later and carrying extra stress just to keep the doors open. Many owners are also dealing with complex regulation, higher borrowing costs and soft consumer confidence. When families cut back, small businesses feel it immediately. That makes it harder to plan, invest, expand or take on another employee. That is why Small Business Month is so important. It is a time to recognise the contribution, but it should also be a reminder that they need practical support from government and continued backing from the community.”
“Power bills are up, insurance premiums are climbing, rents are rising and the cost of stock, freight and raw materials continues to bite. For operators in hospitality, retail, agriculture and the trades every increase eats into an already thin margin. Many are trying not to pass these costs on, because their customers are doing it tough as well. In regional areas like Capricornia, those pressures are even greater. Distance means higher transport costs. Freight delays can leave shelves short or jobs unfinished. And housing shortages make it harder to attract and retain workers. When severe weather hits, the recovery burden can be immediate and overwhelming. And then there is the workforce challenge.”
“When you spend a dollar locally, it flows through the whole community, supporting wages, apprentices, suppliers, sporting clubs and community events. That is why shopping local matters, especially now. Choosing your local butcher, baker, cafe, mechanic or tradie over a multinational or online giant can make a real difference to whether that business keeps employing local people and investing in our towns. I have also seen how much these businesses give back through junior sport, fundraisers, local shows and community events. That contribution is vital to the social fabric of Capricornia. Small businesses shape the identity of Capricornia through hard work, local knowledge and genuine relationships. But right now, many of them are being squeezed by a perfect storm of rising costs, weak consumer confidence and workforce pressures.”
“In Yeppoon, I've met tourism operators, restaurants and retailers along the foreshore facing year-round pressure while still employing locals and welcoming visitors to our region. Across Capricornia, tradies, mechanics and service providers have told me strong demand is being tempered by workforce shortages and rising material costs. In Sarina I have spent time with longstanding family businesses that have served their communities for decades and remain trusted pillars of their towns. I've also met agriculture service businesses that support our farmers every day and help underpin one of our region's most important industries. What all these businesses have in common is resilience, but they are under growing pressure from every direction.”
“I rise today to recognise Small Business Month, and to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution that small and family businesses make right across Capricornia. In regional Australia, small businesses are the backbone of our communities. They keep towns strong, connected and resilient. I've had the privilege of meeting many hardworking small-business owners across Capricornia, and I regularly share their stories with the community. In Rockhampton, I've visited cafes, florists, retailers doing everything they can to keep their doors open despite rising costs. Many tell me they are working longer hours for small margins, but they remain committed to their customers.”
“The association's work has practical outcomes too. In 2023, I was asked to present a copy of When the Americans came to town , written by local author Norma Hempenstall, to Caroline Kennedy, who was the American ambassador to Australia at the time. In a fast-moving world, organisations like these need help to keep us grounded in our shared history. Whether it is saving lives on the beach or preserving the stories of our region, both organisations reflect the very best of Central Queensland. I congratulate everyone involved with Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club on their centenary and the Central Queensland Family History Association on 40 years. These milestones reflect the service and community spirit that make Central Queensland so special. They deserve our thanks and very best wishes for the future.”
“Guests also heard from lifetime members Sharon Wright and Karl Makela, who shared memories from the association's early days and reflected on how much it had grown over 40 years. Moments like these remind us that strong organisations are built by people who quietly give their time, knowledge and heart to a cause they believe in. Today the association holds an impressive collection of 6,094 resources, including microfiche, books, special collections and digital archives. That is a remarkable achievement, and it speaks to the importance of their work of preserving the stories of Central Queensland families for future generations. Family history is about more than names on a page. It's about understanding where we come from, appreciating the sacrifices of those who came before us and making sure local stories are not lost.”
“It was a wonderful setting for the occasion, a lovely morning filled with stories, conversation, morning tea and George Birkbeck's famous damper. Visiting Glenmore Homestead also brought back memories for me, having attended bush dances there in my youth. It was a warm and fitting celebration of an organisation devoted to preserving local stories and local identities. I was pleased to present a congratulatory certificate to President Roseann Creagh in recognition of this special milestone. Congratulations also to Linda Marshall, vice-president and secretary, and Chris Wright, technology coordinator, who were awarded lifetime memberships for their incredible contributions over many years.”
“More than that, it told the story of the people who gave their time so others could enjoy the beach safely. Surf lifesaving clubs are part of the fabric of coastal communities, and that's certainly true in Yeppoon. They teach young people discipline, resilience, teamwork and respect for the ocean. They bring families together through nippers, patrols, carnivals and volunteer service. We are celebrating much more than an organisation; we are celebrating a century of public service, local leadership and community spirit. That is a legacy every member, volunteer and supporter should be proud of. I also had the pleasure of attending the 40th birthday celebration of the Central Queensland Family History Association at historic Glenmore Homestead.”
“Generation after generation of volunteers in the red and yellow have stepped up to protect others, often without fanfare, simply because they care deeply about their community. That kind of service deserves to be recognised, and this centenary was a fitting opportunity to honour all of those who have helped shape the club's proud history. For me, it was also a particularly special occasion because my own family has a long association with the Yeppoon club. I was pleased to sign the commemorative surfboard and reconnect with past nippers and long-term members whose dedication has helped shape the club over many decades. It was wonderful to see the memorabilia on display. It reflected a proud history of volunteerism, mateship and achievement.”
“I rise today to acknowledge two very special milestones in Central Queensland: the 100-year celebration of the Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club and the 40th birthday of the Central Queensland Family History Association. These are two very different organisations, but both represent the very best of our region. Both have served our community with dedication, both have brought people together and both have helped preserve something precious, whether that is lives on our coastline or the stories of the people who have built our region. It was a real pleasure to join the Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club for its centenary celebrations and to see the pride that so many people have in this outstanding club. For 100 years the club has helped keep beachgoers safe while building a strong sense of community across the Capricorn Coast.”
“The coalition will continue to support the NDIS, but we also we will also keep holding Labor to account for how it manages the scheme. Australians with disability deserve reform that is careful, compassionate and properly considered. They deserve consultation, clarity and common sense. They deserve a government that understands sustainability is important and that sustainability cannot be achieved simply by setting savings targets and hoping the detail works itself out later. The coalition will continue to back the NDIS because we believe in it and in the Australians it supports. But we will keep holding Labor to account for every change it makes. Australians with disability deserve a government focused on supporting them, not one focused on chasing savings and fixing its budget problems on the backs of vulnerable people.”
“During that same time, his mother, his primary carer, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and was undergoing treatment while still battling the system to make sure her son was not left behind. No family facing that kind of heartbreak should also have to wage a bureaucratic war just to access basic care. These are not one-off stories. They show what happens when the system lets people down. It's not ministers or bureaucrats who carry the cost. It's families already under pressure. It's carers trying to hold everything together. It's participants whose safety, independence and dignity depend on the right support being there when they need it. That is why every change in this bill matters. These stories are a reminder that behind every policy change is a real person, a real family and real pressure on households already doing it tough.”
“Because there was not enough care at home, she suffered a serious fall that put her in hospital for about six months. If Sharon had sufficient carer funding, that injury may well have been avoided. During Sharon's long hospital stay, Paul was working around the clock with the hospital and the NDIS to get an adequate care plan in place, all while continuing to work full time. Red tape between the hospital and the NDIS delayed Sharon's release. She was medically fit to leave, but it was determined she could not return home. The system completely failed them. Then there's Mitchell, a 36-year-old man living with a rare auto-immune condition who has now also suffered a stroke and needs even greater support. It took 14 months of fighting by his parents alongside my office, to secure an increase in his NDIS funding to an adequate level.”
“But these measures should go after the crooks, not make life harder for honest participants and providers who are doing the right thing. Reform has to be fair as well as firm. But these measures should go after the crooks, not make life harder for honest participants and providers who are doing the right thing. Reform has to be fair as well as firm. Behind those numbers is Paul, a Capricornia constituent caring for his wife Sharon after she was diagnosed with early onset dementia. It is a cruel disease that takes a person's memory, independence and quality of life little by little. For nearly two years, my office has worked with Paul to fight for the basic support Sharon needs. As Sharon's condition got worse, the funding simply was not enough.”
“Under this bill, plans will have a legislated end date and unspent funds will no longer be carried over. On integrity, the coalition has been clear: we will support measures that crack down on fraud, noncompliance and exploitation. Public confidence in the NDIS depends on knowing the money is going to real supports for real people. When around 94 per cent of providers are unregistered and there are serious concerns about non-compliant or fraudulent claims, every member of this House should be paying attention. Fraud not only wastes taxpayer money; it takes support away from Australians with disability. That is why stronger provider registration, better record retention and tighter claims timeframes matter.”
“There are also serious concerns about the government giving itself broader powers to reduce funding for certain support categories, in particular social, civic and community participation supports and some capacity-building activities. These are not optional extras in the lives of many participants. These supports help people build confidence, develop life skills, participate in their community and maintain independence. Any change in this area must be handled with extreme care, because a reduction on paper can mean isolation, lost opportunity and greater pressure on families in the real world. The bill also changes the way participant plans will operate. Right now, plans do not have an official end date and, in most cases, any unspent funds can roll over into the next year.”
“It shows what properly resourced relationship-based support can achieve. Susan McHugh also warned that this bill could do real harm to people with mental health disabilities if it is not amended. She makes the point that brief one-off assessments do not properly capture conditions that come and go, that suspending plans when a participant is uncontactable can be dangerous, as a lack of response may actually be part of a crisis, and that extra compliance demands mean very little if the pricing system still fails to reflect the real cost of complex support. That is a serious warning from a local provider on the ground, and this parliament should listen.”
“We also support measures that make sure participants or their trusted nominees stay in control of reassessment decisions, instead of leaving room for misuse by others in the system. But protecting the integrity of the NDIS must never come at the expense of the people it was created to support. In Capricornia alone, there are 5,442 NDIS participants. These are not just figures in a briefing note; these are local families who rely on this support every single day. I have spoken with Susan McHugh, CEO and co-founder of Compass House in Rockhampton. Compass House is an NDIS-registered psychosocial disability provider supporting people with complex conditions in Central Queensland. It has reported zero unplanned psychiatric hospital admissions since 2020 for participants receiving full daily support. That is not accidental.”
“With more than 760,000 people in the scheme, this is a huge task. If people lose access to the NDIS or have support cut back, where are they supposed to go? Our health system is already under enormous pressure. GPS are stretched, specialists' waiting times are too long, and families are still paying too much out of pocket. If the Commonwealth shifts the burden without building up other services, families will pay the price. That is why the government should not be pushing through major changes without a clear plan and proper consultation with the disability community. At the same time, the scheme does need stronger safeguards. Fraud and exploitation are real problems, and every dollar lost is a dollar taken away from an Australian with a disability who genuinely needs support.”
“For families already under pressure, the uncertainty is not some policy detail in Canberra; it is deeply personal. The bill sets up the legal mechanism for a new approach to eligibility based on functional capacity rather than diagnosis alone, but it does not yet give families the detail they need to understand how that assessment will operate in real life. That is the source of so much anxiety. Parents want to know whether their child will still qualify. Carers want to know whether the support their loved ones depend on will be reduced. Existing participants want to know whether they will be forced to repeatedly prove what is already well understood about their disability and their daily needs. Under this proposal, existing participants will be reassessed over several years from 2028.”
“This year, it's around $50 billion, and it is projected to rise to around $70 billion by the end of the decade. That sort of growth cannot continue without proper planning, proper safeguards and proper consultation with the people who rely on the scheme. What worries people is that Labor is once again chasing savings without clearly telling Australians what these changes will mean in real life. Families, participants and providers are worried, and they have every right to be. The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 sets up a new framework for eligibility and access, but it still leaves too many unanswered questions about how these new assessments will actually work and whether people will keep the support they depend on.”
“But supporting the NDIS does not mean giving Labor a free pass for poor management. A scheme this important cannot be left to drift, and it cannot be changed in a rush, without proper consultation, proper safeguards and clear answers for the people who rely on it. Labor keeps changing its story on the NDIS. In April 2023, it said it would bring annual growth down to eight per cent. Then it shifted again and said growth would be brought down to five and six per cent over the medium term. But growth is still sitting at 10.3 per cent. That tells you that Labor has not been managing this well. It's been playing catch-up the whole way through. The NDIS was originally expected to support about 410,000 Australians. Today, it supports more than 760,000 people. It was once expected to cost around $13.6 billion.”