Dutton backs NDIS cuts to pay for subs

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has flagged supporting budget cuts in programs such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme to help fund the massive cost of the AUKUS subs deal.

The details of the AUKUS deal will be unveiled in San Diego on Tuesday by AUKUS partners, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden.

The subs deal, described by Mr Albanese as a ‘new dawn’ for Australia’s defence policy, is said to have a price tag of $200bn over 30 years, or .01 per cent of GDP annually.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton reinforced the coalition’s bipartisan support for the AUKUS deal, instigated under the Morrison government in 2021. He said that support included finding budget savings.

“In my budget in reply speech last October I said we would work with the government if they had tough decisions, for example, keeping the NDIS sustainable,” he told ABC TV’s 7.30.

The NDIS is forecast to blowout to more than $64bn a year by 2030.

“It’s incredibly important but needs to be sustainable,” he said.

“There will always be points of difference about where spending priorities lay and we will work through that.”

Mr Dutton said the funding for the AUKUS deal would be over at least 30 years, but the immediate time of the forward estimates over the next four years is “the most crucial period to focus on”.

“We would encourage the Government to be transparent about the money involved, be upfront with the Australian people, because it is a costly process,” he said.

“As history has demonstrated, there is an enormous price to inaction as well.”