Martin Hoffman has resigned as chief executive of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), a statement from the agency confirmed on Wednesday.
With Labor’s Bill Shorten having been appointed as minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), there was plenty of speculation regarding Hoffman’s future at the agency.
Hoffman’s tenure as NDIA chief was mired with controversy and Shorten was one of his most outspoken critics. Just before the federal election, Shorten told the Guardian that the NDIA leadership has lost the trust of the disability community.
The NDIA has been under fire in recent years over the rising costs of the disability scheme, which is currently at $30 billion a year, according to a report by the Australian.
NDIS participants have also expressed dissatisfaction over having their plans cut without warning, with many filing appeals before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. According to the Financial Review, the NDIA has spent more than $40 million in legal fees over the first 10 months of the year.
News of Hoffman’s resignation have prompted advocates to ask the NDIA to look for a new leader within the disability sector.
“Mr Hoffman’s resignation provides an opportunity to reflect on how many people with disability are employed at the agency at the senior tiers of management and within the ranks of outsourced labour hire,” said Samantha Connor, president of People with Disability Australia.
The same sentiment was echoed by Senator Jordon Steele-John, who tweeted that the next NDIA CEO should be a person with disability.
“The next CEO must also demonstrate a commitment to working with disabled people and our organisations to authentically co-design solutions to #FixOurNDIS,” the Senator said. “Ideally, this person will be a disabled person.”
The NDIA board said that it has accepted Hoffman’s resignation, effective July 2, “with regret”.
Denis Napthine, chair of the NDIS board, commended him for his “stewardship of the Scheme through such an important stage of its evolution.”
“During Martin’s leadership the NDIS completed the full transition from the old systems – and grew dramatically with now more than 520,000 participants benefiting from the Scheme,” said Napthine. “He has also overseen significant participant experience improvements, with an emphasis on digital investment that will deliver further improvements in the future. He led the Agency with passion, grace and commitment, including managing through the impacts of the COVID pandemic.”
Hoffman took over leadership of the NDIA in November 2019. Current deputy chief Lisa Studdert will act as CEO following his resignation.
“It has been an absolute privilege to have served in this role for the last three years,” said Hoffman. “I wish the Scheme, and its participants, families, carers and providers all the very best for the future. I thank the amazing staff of the Agency for their dedication and support.”
