NDIS: Coalition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston says ‘more details’ needed on changes for children with mild autism

Coalition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston says there needs to be “more detail” after Labor announced children with mild autism and developmental delays would be moved off the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Health Minister Mark Butler said children with the moderate conditions would be shifted to a yet-to-be-designed Thriving Kids program, slated to begin mid-2027, as the government attempts to reign in the unsustainable costs of the $46bn NDIS program.

While $2bn of funding has been earmarked for the program, Mr Butler’s address on Wednesday was the first time states, territories and stakeholders had been told of the imminent changes.

Although the opposition has backed changes to make the scheme more sustainable, it says more information is needed.

“Yesterday, we saw another new program announced by the Health Minister … (but) we still don’t know what’s happening with foundational supports, which was an announcement about a change to the NDIS program last year,” Ms Ruston said.

“So we’ve got another announcement with no details and no certainty and no pathway through by which the minister has announced that he’s actually going to deliver what he said.”

Senator Ruston said the uncertainty had created “great distress” for families.

“So we’re asking the minister to come out and provide that level of certainty because we can’t be sure that these programs are right or otherwise unless we have that sort of detail,” she said.

“So we’re calling on the government for more detail because these children deserve better than the uncertainty that they’re getting at the moment.”

Sussan Ley said bipartisan support for reducing the growth of the NDIS wasn’t a “blank cheque for the government”.

“It’s so important that these families don’t feel left out on a limb,” the Opposition Leader said. said.

“Yes, there are changed arrangements but they need to have the confidence that works for them and their family, and they’re not hearing that from the government.”

She said she understood concern from parents following Mr Butler’s announcement on Wednesday.

“As we know, phase 1 of this approach hasn’t worked very well, and we’ve now got another whole level of changes that families are being asked to come to terms with,” Ms Ley said.

“So Prime Minister, you need to get this right. You need to make sure these kids don’t fall through the cracks.”

Mr Butler said children with moderate developmental delays and autism receiving NDIS support had ballooned beyond forecast figures, with children under 15 representing nearly half of people entering the scheme.

He said the Thriving Kids program would give families support that currently did not exist, leaving parents with “no alternative” but the NDIS.

“As I said today, it’s really been the only port in a storm for parents who are worried about their kid not hitting milestones. We should have an alternative system in place for those parents and for those kids, and that’s what I committed to building today a system to support those children to thrive.”