Live: Labor to crack down on NDIS providers claiming banned services

The federal government will crack down on dodgy NDIS providers claiming for banned services under the "Other Professional" support item.Follow all the updates in our live blog. Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:24amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:24amScrapping over 65 private health rebates will have 'marginal' impact on hospitals: ButlerHealth Minister Mark Butler has insisted that the government's plan to end private health insurance rebates for over 65s will not place more pressure on the public health systems.The Australian reports health ministers from NSW, Queensland and Tasmania have raised concerns at the Commonwealth's plan to end the rebate, which was unveiled in the federal budget.Speaking to Channel Seven, Butler says the government's modelling shows it will have a marginal impact on private health membership."We've put an eye-watering amount of extra money into aged care over the last few years to get it out of the position that the royal commission described it as neglect, and to fund the extra demand that's coming from the ageing of the baby boomer generation," Butler says."I think this has been a difficult decision. Of course I'd prefer not to make it, but I think it takes us back to the old position where people received health insurance subsidies based on their income rather than their age."Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume has labelled the measure a "tricky, sneaky and mean spirited" tax on older Australians.Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:15amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:15amA-G 'confident' states, territories will agree on Working with Children Check reformsThe federal government will seek consensus with the states and territories on nationally consistent minimum standards and information sharing for Working With Children Check (WWCC) schemes.Today, attorneys-general will convene in Darwin to discuss minimum national standards for WWCC risk assessment processes, along with the types of information to be shared with WWCC screening units across all jurisdictions.A national baseline of serious criminal offences that will automatically bar a person from being granted, or continuing to hold, a WWCC will also be put forward at the meeting.Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland says she's confident her state and territory colleagues will reach agreement on the reforms."Child safety is a top priority for all jurisdictions, which is why I am confident my state and territory colleagues will take the next big step today and agree on nationally consistent minimum standards and information sharing," Rowland says in a statement.Last year the federal government announced $37 million over five years to support WWCC reform.Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:12amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:12amA-G won't be drawn on charging of federal Labor MP Luke GoslingAttorney-General Michelle Rowland has sidestepped questions about police charging her federal NT colleague Luke Gosling.The Solomon MP has been charged with two counts of assault in relation to an incident involving NT Administrator David Connolly at a festival this month.Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, Rowland says she doesn't want to give commentary on the matter as it's before the courts."I am applying the same principle that I apply to every other matter that I'm asked about, which is that I cannot comment on specific details or provide commentary around that," Rowland says."I'm happy to answer factual questions if you wish to pose them, but I won't be providing opinions or commentary around this matter"So will the attorney-general see Gosling while she's in the Top End? She says she doesn't have anything planned with him.Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:11amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:11amLabor to rein in billions by cracking down on NDIS providers claiming banned servicesThe federal government will attempt to rein in billions of dollars in National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) spending by cracking down on dodgy operators.National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) analysis has found nearly 40 per cent of audited providers are claiming for alternative therapies that are banned from receiving NDIS funding.Some operators have been charging $194 under the "Other Professional" support item for services which have been barred for funding, such as animal therapy, personal training and golf lessons.The government will address it with more regulation, including splitting legitimate providers into their own categories, reducing the pricing for "Other Professional" support items to $156.16 per hour and implement a new digital payment system."We are closing this loophole and our bill before the parliament provides new powers for the NDIA to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing," NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister says.Fri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:05amFri 31 Jul 2026 at 7:05amGood morning 👋Hello and welcome to our federal politics live blog! It's FRIDAYYYY!!!!!!! Always great to have you join us here this early.I'm Josh Boscaini joining you live from Parliament House in Canberra, here and ready to bring you all of today's federal politics news.The federal government will crack down on dodgy NDIS providers claiming for banned services under the "Other Professional" support item.And the attorney-general will meet with state and territory leaders in Darwin today to seek consensus with the states and territories on nationally consistent minimum standards and information sharing for Working With Children Check (WWCC) schemes.Let's get right into the day and get this blog started!