National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 2644
Mark Butler 30 May 2026
Minister for Health
Submission regarding proposed NDIS changes.
I am the mother, guardian and primary carer of my son, , who is 36 years old. He has various complex conditions including Bipolar I, ASD II, ADHD, OCD, pragmatic speech problems and specific learning difficulties. When unstable, he is violent and has bashed his father more than once. He has been scheduled to a psych ward and voluntary admitted to another one in the past. As such he has a permanent and life-long disability.
His life, and our family’s, have been transformed by ’s access to the NDIS. One of the primary reasons for the stabilisation of his conditions is the regular visits by NDIS carers to keep him in his routine (which is vital for an autistic person), assist him with daily living, attend with him at therapies and assist him to access to social and community activities.
The proposed changes to the NDIS is an egregious breach of the ALP’s social contract with the Australian people. It beggars belief that the political party who introduced the scheme would actively seek to undermine it to an extent where thousands of participants will be thrown off the scheme. One of the promises given by Minister Shorten was to alleviate the anxiety of parents that, when they die, their vulnerable child with severe disabilities will be cared for. Not you have only have you broken that promise, but you’ve exacerbated a parent’s anxiety given the uncertainly you have plunged us into.
The thought that you would cut funding if a participant’s condition is improved by NDIS care is bizarre. The reason why my son is functional is because of the capacity building care and social and community support provided at the current funding level. If withdrawn, he would regress and need to apply for a review.
I find the reasoning for proposed changes and the impact it will have on our family nebulous which also heightens my fears. What exactly will happen to my son? And why are the cuts so profoundly deep? I understand reforms were needed but these are excessive.
To also disregard the evidence of trained health professionals totally is also unbelievable. Instead a person’s fate will be determined by some boffin and a set of rules. NO APPEAL process is denying natural justice!
You are also forcing participants and carers back into a system where NGOs who are inflexible, greedy and incompetent will provide care. One of the very things the NDIS was set up to address. My son suffered under an agency. It is only through my ability to hire reputable carers that his life has been changed around.
I sincerely request that you review the changes to the Act you are considering. It is a cynical exercise to now join forces with the Liberal Party who has long sought to tear the NDIS to shred.