Senator SCARR (Queensland) (15:06): I'm quite happy to rise in this place and defend the government's performance with respect to the NDIS rollout. I, personally, representing the good people of Queensland, find it an outstanding performer, and I think the facts actually support that argument. Can I say at the outset what an outstanding job the Minister for the NDIS, the member for Fadden, from my home state of Queensland, is doing. I've heard a number of members in the lower house congratulating the minister with respect to the proactive nature of his office. When concerns are raised, as they inevitably will be with a massive rollout of this nature, they are attended to, and that's the way it should be. This notion that in some way the government is artificially trying to prevent services getting through to those who need them in order to protect the budget bottom line is quite absurd. There is absolutely no evidence to support that assertion. I am sure that every single senator sitting in this place wants that service provided to the people who need it as quickly and as efficiently as possible, and that is exactly what the government is doing. Instead of just bland assertions, let's actually look at some of the facts in relation to the matter. The NDIS has undergone significant growth, from approximately 30,000 participants at the end of trials on 30 June 2016 to almost 300,000 participants as at 30 June 2019—an increase of 270,000. Significantly, 100,000 of those participants, 100,000 Australians in need, are receiving support and services for the very first time. So from my perspective, as a senator for the great state of Queensland, this rollout is occurring effectively and efficiently and it's delivering services to those people in need. Since the commencement of the NDIS, the active provider market has also grown from around 3,500 service providers, as at 30 June 2016, to more than 21,000, as at 30 June 2019—an increase of 600 per cent. Again, look at the facts. The facts support the government's case that this system, one of the biggest social reforms in this country's history, with its bipartisan support, is being rolled out effectively and efficiently and delivering services to those in need. We know, the government knows, that the number of participants entering the NDIS is lower than originally estimated. It's a demand driven system, and Minister Ruston tried to explain that in the face of constant interjection from our friends opposite. As at 30 June 2019, there were 298,816 participants who had received disability support from the NDIS, representing 72 per cent of the original bilateral estimates. This progress has been consistent throughout the NDIS trial and transition phase. In large part, this reflects the shift from block funded services, where data on individuals receiving services was not robust. Despite the best efforts of the NDIA, as well as Commonwealth and state and territory governments, there are some people who may be eligible for the NDIS who remain difficult to contact and engage with. And it's incumbent on every senator in this place and our friends in the House of Representatives to do our best to make sure the people in our community get the services they need as quickly and as efficiently as possible. And the government is doing exactly that. The number of existing Commonwealth and state and territory clients transitioning to the NDIS has been lower than originally estimated. We accept that. But, the fact of the matter is, the scheme is being rolled out effectively and efficiently, and it is delivering services to those in need. For those examples where people are falling between the cracks, each and every person representing their state or their local seat in this place needs to bring those facts and circumstances to the attention of the relevant minister and the relevant agencies and do their best to advocate on behalf of those people to make sure they get the benefit and services they deserve as Australians. Delivering this groundbreaking reform to improve outcomes for Australians with a significant and permanent disability will inevitably involve challenges. The important thing is to address issues quickly and efficiently as they arise to ensure the sustainable management of the scheme into the future. (Time expired)