³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Disability Services (NDS) has today welcomed the arrests of five people arising from allegations of attempts to defraud people with disability and the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
NDS spoke to ABC News, stating that any attempt to defraud people with disability from their NDIS supports and funds is appalling.
Acting CEO, David Moody, said “NDIS is an incredibly important social reform that is designed to transform the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.”
“NDS and our members campaigned for the NDIS to support people with disability to have choice and control over their own lives.
“We’re very pleased to know there have been a number of arrests and seizures over suspected defrauding of the NDIS of millions of dollars.
“The NDIA and Australian Federal Police have demonstrated that systems they have in place to detect and prosecute individuals trying to defraud people with disability are working,” he said.
Mr Moody said, “A new $22 billion scheme like the NDIS was always going to attract people who are looking for opportunities to rort the system. Today’s arrests send a message to others thinking about doing this to think again!”
“The people arrested today, and their organisations, are not and have never been members of NDS.
“We will continue to proactively support and advise our members so they know and understand their responsibilities as disability service providers who offer quality services to people with disability,” he said.
NDS is the national peak body for more than 1,000 non-government disability service providers.
