3.45pm – The Victorian government has broken the impasse over funding for the NDIS with an offer of extra money for a trial in the Barwon/Geelong region.
Premier Ted Baillieu today offered to commit $17 million for the trial and and a one-off $25 million for a “transition agency”. The federal government was asking for $40 million from Victoria.
Baillieu denied his announcement was a backflip, claiming his government had been consistent from the start and had never tried to score political points. Nevertheless, the decision will be seen as a victory for Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
The Victorian decision comes after two days of heavy criticism of the coalition state governments. At the COAG meeting on Wednesday the Labor governments of South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT signed up to a trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Baillieu’s announcement was made at a 3.45pm press conference with Mary Wooldridge, his Minister for Community Services.
- Listen to the Baillieu-Wooldridge press conference (26m)
