NDIS on agenda for Abbott

By EMMA SUN
FEDERAL Opposition leader Tony Abbott visited the Yarra Ranges last Thursday as part of a community forum to answer questions from residents about their concerns.
It was a full house of about 200 people at the York on Lilydale in Mount Evelyn for the Casey Community Forum, which was hosted by Casey MP Tony Smith.
Yarra Ranges councillors and representatives from various organisations and businesses were among the attendees.
The carbon tax, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and local infrastructure were among the key points discussed, as well as questions about education, gay marriage, logging and the defence budget.
Rob Ward from Wesley Fire and Clay in Lilydale expressed his concerns about the future of the NDIS, despite both Mr Abbott and Prime Minister Julia Gillard both declaring their support for the cause.
“It seems to be folding down in the lack of corroboration between the State, Senate and Federal Government,” he said.
“I’d like to be able to go back to the hundreds of families that Wesley supports in this area and be able to assure them that you personally and the Coalition Government has a strong commitment to working with the existing government and with the State to see the NDIS fully funded as soon as possible.”
Mr Abbott agreed with Mr Ward’s points and reiterated his commitment and strong support for the NDIS.
He said a bi-partisan joint parliamentary committee co-chaired by each party would be the best way to keep things going.
“That would take the political sting out of it and ensure there was a constant momentum to actually turn this from a good idea to an effective and efficient scheme to actually help people with disability who deserve a better deal,” he said.
La Trobe MP Laura Smyth said the Labor Government committed $1 million to launch the NDIS and urged Premier Ted Baillieu to make a move.
“If Tony Abbott really wants to show his support for people with disabilities, he would ensure that his Liberal colleague Ted Baillieu was serious about an NDIS and committed to having a launch site for the scheme in Victoria,” she said.
“That would be a genuine way for the Liberals to show bipartisan support for this important reform.”
Greg Carrick from Garden City Plastics in Monbulk expressed his concerns about the carbon tax and asked Mr Abbott whether he would abolish it should he come into government.
“(Importing gardening pots) would have no environmental benefit, it would be an environmental detriment, because the recycled plastics you are using would then just go to landfill,” Mr Abbott said.
“So the emissions and the jobs would go overseas and our landfills would be under even more pressure than they currently are, which is one of the many perverse impacts of the carbon tax.”
Mr Abbott said legislation that has been done can be undone, which is exactly what he planned to do if he was elected.
Ms Smyth said the carbon tax was the cheapest and most effective way to make big polluters pay for every tonne of carbon pollution they produce, which would encourage businesses to pollute less.
She said the carbon tax was nothing compared to what Mr Abbott would implement.
“Local residents should know that Tony Abbott’s proposal on climate change will cost each household $1300 a year,” she said.
“He doesn’t want to slug polluters, he wants households to pay. Mr Abbott also won’t support the household assistance that Labor has provided to help residents meet costs of living.”