Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services
Shadow Minister for the NDIS
Shadow Minister for Women
Federal Member for Lindsay
It is an honour to be appointed to Angus Taylor’s Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services, the Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Shadow Minister for Women.
As the Leader of the Opposition said, this is a key economic portfolio: lifting participation, reducing long-term unemployment, and ensuring families can get ahead. I will be on the front line fighting for Australian families that are falling further and further behind under the Albanese Government.
My new portfolios touch the lives of millions of Australians. From people starting a family, age pensioners or people needing financial assistance in their time of need, our social services system is there to support them.
More than 5.3 million Australians over the age of 16 receive support through the social services portfolio. It is absolutely essential it is strong, robust and sustainable to ensure we can support Australians when they need it most.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme supports nearly 800,000 Australians. People with disability and their families deserve the very best care and support to live independent and fulfilling lives.
The Albanese Government has failed to deliver on its promise to protect the NDIS with the recent Budget papers showing NDIS expenditure will blow out to more than $63 billion by 2028-29. Every week I receive complaints to my office in Western Sydney about delays and cuts to people’s NDIS plans, providers taking advantage of our most vulnerable citizens or providers not getting paid.
I am pleased to continue in my role as Shadow Minister for Women. There are so many opportunities to protect and better the lives of women across our nation. I am committed to better health access and outcomes for all women and girls, supporting women escaping domestic violence, improving financial security and better education and work pathways.
The Coalition is also committed to delivering a fairer and more flexible childcare system, that will provide families with choice and gives children the best start in life.
I look forward to working with my Coalition colleagues in particular Matt O’Sullivan, Henry Pike and Maria Kovacic to deliver policies that prioritises improving the lives of Australians and their families.