NDIS overhaul: Mark Butler makes shock announcement leaving Perth parents of children with autism reeling

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler’s sudden plan to strip NDIS support from children with “mild autism” has blindsided State ministers and left the disability sector scrambling for answers. WA Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley, alongside her Queensland counterpart Amanda Camm and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan, said she was in the dark on the sweeping changes, only learning of them during the minister’s National Press Club address on Wednesday. Mr Butler said tens of thousands of children currently on the NDIS will be moved to a new “Thriving Kids” program from 2027 in an effort to tailor support and rein in the $46 billion scheme’s ballooning cost. “I became aware of that at the time of Minister Butler delivering his speech,” Ms Beazley said on Thursday. “We weren’t pre-briefed on that speech or its contents or announcements.” She said despite not having the heads up, the State Government, like other jurisdictions, had been working with the Commonwealth to improve services and supports for children. Mr Butler said he did not regret sidelining the States, claiming “Thriving Kids” was created in response to their own demands for tailored services — and expressed confidence State Governments would step up with funding. “I committed $2 billion on behalf of the Commonwealth. The commitment by National Cabinet was that states would match that,” Mr Butler said. “Obviously, not each of the States would do that. But collectively, the States would put in $2 billion to that well. I’m confident with that level of resourcing.” Concerns children will slip through the cracks swirled amid providers and families on Thursday, while Mr Butler was criticised for making an announcement with a lack of detail. Ms Beazley moved to assure families that the State would be stepping up to ensure the new program was “equally co-funded”. “I do understand that those conversations are active in terms of what we agree with at a State level, in terms of escalation or deescalation of costs and growth,” she said. “We are committed to providing them with the supports and services that they need.” Mr Butler said children with autism were “over-serviced” under the NDIS. “An average child with moderate levels of developmental delay is getting more than 70 sessions of therapy every single year,” he said. “Now, it’s unheard of in the healthcare system you’d have that level of servicing.” For Perth mum Danielle Bryers, that “over-servicing” has helped her son five-year-old Nate access early intervention and support to manage his autism. “Nate’s been having therapies for 18 months, and while he’s not at the same level as his peers, the difference is huge,” she said. Ms Bryers fears without his weekly and fortnightly sessions with a speech therapist, occupational therapist and physiotherapist, Nate’s progress and confidence would take a hit. She said 18 months of therapies had taken him from having to be carried everywhere and being overwhelmed by crowds to walking and engaging with people. The Wellard resident said the shock announcement left her with more questions than answers. “I’m a little bit worried that he’s not going to get the help and support he needs,” she said. “I’m also really confused how children are being removed from NDIS funding because of autism, but autism is a life-long disability.” “It’s going to be horrific if kids are having to suffer and are not going to be able to develop as well as their peers, through no fault of their own.” The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Andrew Whitehouse welcomed the overhaul, adding he believes there are “much more effective” ways to help children with autism than through the NDIS. “The NDIS is on an unsustainable path and we need to find ways to do more positive reforms,” Professor Whitehouse said. “I think those of us in the sector are really worried about this because we have seen the enormous gains that the NDIS has brought to our community. “To keep that significant budget item, we have to keep showing how important it is.”