National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025; In Committee

Opened the debate

Ruston moved an amendment to prevent correspondence nominees from withdrawing participants from the National Disability Insurance Scheme or cancelling such withdrawals against the participant's wishes. Ruston argued that the current bill contained an unintended loophole that risked removing agency from participants by allowing nominees to make decisions contrary to their interests. Ruston stated that the amendment would ensure decisions remained with the participant and noted that the Government had indicated support for this practical change.

Government response

McAllister confirmed that the Government supported the Coalition's amendment, thanking the Opposition for collaborating on the draft. McAllister explained that the committee had identified that the original provisions could inadvertently allow correspondence nominees to withdraw participants, which exceeded their intended role. McAllister stated that the Government agreed that plan nominees were better placed to exercise this function and that the amendment clarified the bill's intent.