Aug 10, 2026 – 8.00pmLabor has rejected calls to appoint an independent umpire to oversee a shake-up of the National Disability Insurance Scheme as it closes in on a deal with the Coalition to push through its cuts to the program without major amendments in the next fortnight.Martin Laverty, one of the scheme’s architects who now runs a major disability provider, said on Monday the program needed a steward to keep the government in check in the same way an inspector-general monitors Australia’s aged care system.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles