Wagga residents have questioned the Prime Minister’s decision to “repurpose” close to $4 billion that was put aside to the National Disability Insurance Scheme for drought relief.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled his $5 billion Drought Future Fund in Canberra on Friday and said the first $3.9 billion of the scheme will come from a pool of money originally intended for the NDIS.
Wagga disability advocate and NDIS recipient Thara Pech said this was a “difficult situation” but one that should not come at the expense of others.
“This is a difficult situation because while I am an advocate for people with disabilities, I also know farmers who are affected by the drought and need financial support,” Ms Pech said.
“I can’t say that the farmers are suffering more than us, because where else would the government get the money? They can’t just print money – it all has to come from somewhere.”
Ms Pech questioned the money that has already been given to people with disabilities and argued that some funds might not be going to the right areas.
“I’m on my second NDIS plan and there’s some components where thousands of dollars in funding has been provided to an area that is not needed,” she said.
“Hardware and software and home modifications, how many times do I need to do this? It’s usually one-off.
“What is being done with the money that is already been given to people with disabilities? Many don’t know how to spend it and there needs to be a shift in mentality.”
Ms Pech is wary about the time frame of “repurposing” this money.
“The drought problem must be addressed because otherwise it becomes a systematic cycle, but I question how long this drought relief funding will be,” she said.
Riverina farmer Alan Brown argued that many farmers would cautiously welcome this drought funding.
“I was a little surprised to hear that the government felt the need to take the money out from the NDIS and I hope that they have the capability to put this funding back when it was needed,” Mr Brown said.
However, Mr Brown argued that many farmers are not receiving enough drought relief, if any.
“I think most farmers will look at this repurposing of funds and won’t be able to see a lot of relief in it for them,” he said.
