Additional Comments by Coalition Members of the Committee

Coalition members support the intent of strengthening early support for children with developmental delay, autism and disability, and we note the Committee’s recommendations are broadly sensible and constructive. We also recognise the importance of reform that protects the long-term sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) while ensuring children and families receive timely, appropriate support.

However, Coalition members are concerned that the Thriving Kids initiative has been announced with insufficient detail in the public domain. Families, clinicians, service providers, educators and state systems still lack clarity on fundamental design and delivery questions, including eligibility, referral pathways, assessment settings, scope of supports, workforce requirements, service standards, safeguards, complaints and review mechanisms, and how outcomes will be measured.

Coalition members further note that the Government has not adequately explained how Thriving Kids will co-exist with, complement, and interface with the NDIS. It remains unclear how children will be supported to transition between foundational supports and the NDIS where necessary, and how the Government will ensure that children do not fall between the cracks during the implementation period.

Coalition members remain concerned that, without a clear implementation plan, the initiative risks replicating existing system failures, such as inconsistent decision-making, poor communication, long wait times for assessment and therapy, and inequitable access for families in rural, regional and remote Australia. Workforce shortages across the care and allied health sectors remain a major barrier to equity of access and must be addressed as a matter of urgency if Thriving Kids is to succeed.

Coalition members acknowledge the Government’s stated commitment to NDIS reform. But it is time for the Government to move beyond announcements and provide real, practical detail, guided by strong clinical advice and a clear commitment to long-term budget sustainability, so the Scheme and the broader ecosystem of supports remain fit for purpose for generations to come.

The Coalition will work constructively on sensible NDIS reforms, including working towards putting the NDIS on a sustainable growth trajectory, to secure its future. This stands in contrast to Labor’s previous record in opposition of politicising NDIS reform for short-term political gain. At the same time, Coalition members will continue to hold the Government to account to ensure Australians living with disability receive the services they need, and that no child is worse off as a result of these changes.

Additional Recommendation

The Minister for the NDIS, Mark Butler, has stated the cost of the scheme will be shared 50/50 with the States and Territories however to date there has been little inclination the jurisdictions will support this proposed funding arrangement. This calls into question the operation and commencement dates that have been outlined. In order for the details of the scheme to be progressed a funding agreement needs to be finalised.

Coalition members recommend that the Australian Government finalise, as a matter of urgency, an agreement with State and Territory governments on the design, funding, roles and responsibilities, and implementation timeline for the Thriving Kids initiative (including foundational supports), to provide certainty to families and service providers and to ensure consistent access and safeguards nationwide.

Mr Cameron Caldwell MP

Mr Sam Birrell MP