Cloud over disability insurance

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has put the National Disability Insurance Scheme on the backburner until a coalition government returns the budget back to a strong surplus.

Mr Abbott told the National Press Club in Canberra on Tuesday the disability insurance scheme was an "important and necessary reform" and must be affordable.

"It's a test of our quality as a society what we can do more and better for people with disabilities," he said.

"The coalition strongly supports the Productivity Commission's recommendation for a disability insurance scheme."

He said studies were underway to design the scheme but the coalition was taking a wait and see approach.

"In the end everything has got to be paid for," Mr Abbott said.

"With an estimated price tag of $6 billion a year (roughly equal to the commonwealth's current interest bill) this important and necessary reform can't fully be implemented until the budget returns to a strong surplus."

The national disability insurance scheme proposed under Labor will provide long-term care and support to anyone who acquires a significant disability.