20 August 2025
Life Without Barriers applauds the Labor Government’s “next wave” of reforms to help ensure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) continues to support people with disability long into the future.
Mark Butler - the Minister for Health, Ageing, Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme – outlined transformative measures to reorient the NDIS to its original purpose while keeping the critical scheme sustainable during a key address to the National Press Club on August 20.
Life Without Barriers welcomes the Government’s focus on keeping people with disability at the centre of the Scheme including through today’s additional announcement of key disability leadership appointed to the NDIS Reform Committee.
The Committee will work in partnership with Government to implement key reform measures from the NDIS review and recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission.
Claire Robbs, Chief Executive of Life Without Barriers, acknowledged the Government's approach and attention to key areas of reform.
“Minister Butler has shown his in-depth knowledge of the NDIS and the critical importance of the scheme to people with disability, and what is needed to build on to secure its future,” Ms Robbs said.
“It is clear the Albanese Government intends to continue to champion the changes needed to bring sustainability and viability to the scheme for the hundreds of thousands of Australians who rely on it.
“Nurturing greater market stewardship, independent pricing and stronger regulation to meet the expectations of people with disability in communities across the country are all important, and we welcome the Minister’s focus on the critical infrastructure and disability services which enable choice and control for participants of the NDIS.”
Due to a severe lack of options, a large proportion of children with mild-to-moderate developmental delays and autism are currently on the NDIS.
“Our organisation works in partnership with children and families nationwide and we have seen firsthand the gaps in support for children with developmental delays,” Ms Robbs said.
“The landmark investment into Thriving Kids will transform the lives of so many children and families.”
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