National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3288
Dear Senators
I am writing about the proposed changes to the NDIS.
We have long lived experience in this area. Our son is 22 and has autism and ADHD. Life for families like ours is a huge challenge - and I don’t expect you to understand our struggle - but you NEED to get your heads around the help families like ours get (thanks to the NDIS). This is crucial in helping vulnerable people lead a more stable, less stressful and meaningful life.
It also helps parents cope with the exhaustion and constant stress (including financial stress) of living with, supporting and assisting a child with special needs.
I won’t hide my life-long cynicism about politics and politicians. Voters are disillusioned for a reason. Combatting “fraud” is a standard excuse for slashing funding. My letter may well be a waste of time – but it is worth the attempt.
No doubt, many of you will claim to be Christians - or decent people - or family people - or empathetic leaders in our community. Well, here is your opportunity to show that this is more than just words. Here is an opportunity for you to prove that you got into politics to help protect and support the most vulnerable in our society. And the most vulnerable are children and adults with disabilities that make day-to-day life a constant struggle.
Note: I saw a piece on Sky News last week where the 3 “experts” were basically sneering at those with disabilities getting NDIS funding - basically accusing them of going for a diagnosis to get funding. It was disgusting - but not surprising for Murdoch media. However, this attitude now seems to be prevalent in our politics - where the NDIS is written off as a drain on the economy - a “welfare” scheme - not as a crucial support element for those in need.
Some of the proposed changes to the NDIS are extremely concerning:
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The Minister will have the discretion to cut participant’s plans at will, despite plans being approved by the NDIA. Why would this process be permitted? It is unconscionable.
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proposed cuts to social and community supports. Clearly the importance of social benefits to 30%
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participants is being ignored, yet this is so important for an individual’s feelings of inclusion, self worth and happiness - and important elements like making friends.
- The lack of proper consultation with parents, participants, carers and service providers. This raises real concerns about this process being railroaded through without genuine rationale. 4 . The proposed changes will harm the provision and importance of early intervention. This will result in a greater cost to the community and economy as the “can is kicked down the road”. The needs will still be there - but other services will have to bear the burden - mental health services, hospital services, possibly juvenile justice and corrections as well. It appears the States have indicated they will not be able to replace NDIS services with equivalent services. This will be disastrous.
To sum up: It took ages for the NDIS to come into being – so long overdue. But now it appears that the budget hawks have found a new victim. It seems easy to find $80 billion for submarines we don’t need – and will probably never get. We seem content to allow billionaires (like Murdoch) pay zero tax on the billions generated – costing Australia billions.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Submission 3288
So - It seems rather disingenuous to claim that we don’t have the money to support our most vulnerable.
I expect zero response or assistance from the extreme right wing senators - LNP and One Nation. Their priorities are well known – and disability is not one of them.
But for you remaining senators, I am hoping that a shred of decency remains. The opportunity is here to help our most vulnerable. Please take it.