Labor NDIS spokesman Bill Shorten has weighed in to the debate around the state government's taxi scheme for people with disability, saying he's "appalled" that some Tasmanians could be "priced out of the market".
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The ex-Labor leader was responding to stories in The Examiner, in which disability advocates criticised the state government's new taxi supplement.
From July 1, a $1000 cap was put in place for taxi travel for National Disability Insurance Scheme participants, which will drop to $350 per annum from July 1 next year until December 31, 2023.
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Under the government's previous subsidy scheme, there was no yearly cap.
"Labor is appalled to hear that changes to the subsidy scheme and the chaotic rollout of the NDIS will mean that Tasmanians living with a disability could be priced out of the market for taxis and lose ... independence," Mr Shorten said.
A spokesperson for NDIS Minister Stuart Robert said the federal government was working "in good faith" with its Tasmanian counterpart.
"The Tasmanian government has responsibility for accessible public transport and community transport," the spokesperson said.
Former Transport Minister Jeremy Rockliff has said the supplement wasn't designed to cover the full cost of taxi travel.
A 2015 Council of Australian Governments agreement on the responsibilities of the NDIS stated that "the NDIS will be responsible for reasonable and necessary costs associated with the use of taxis or other private transport options for those not able to travel independently".
Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
