National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (18:54): Senator Steele-John, your question suggests that you don't know what foundational supports are or what Thriving Kids is, and I'm surprised that that is the case. There is a very long report from Professor Oberklaid that draws on extensive consultation and engagement with a very broad sector of the community and deep expertise in paediatrics to set up a framework that was adopted nationally for Thriving Kids.

It has four elements. The short version is that a good system that delivers well for kids with developmental delay or autism would include really good information for kids and their families, pathways to access services in their local community, support for parents—because parents are the first teachers of young children—and targeted supports for children who may have additional requirements.

It's that model that was adopted by the states and territories. It's that model that underwrites the bilateral agreements that have been signed with all of the states and territories, other than Queensland, and it's those models which are driving and informing the implementation plans that have now been signed by all of the states and territories, except Queensland.

It might be of interest to those listening to this debate to, if you are deeply interested in understanding what the practical implementation arrangements will be, have a look at those bilaterals. They set out the kinds of actions that will be taken in each state and territory and they reflect the thinking that states and territories have done about the specific kinds of circumstances that exist in this very large continental nation, where we see all sorts of communities with quite different needs.

It sets out the ways that states and territories actually intend to respond to those needs in making sure that we've got a consistent approach to supporting children that is tailored to the needs of local communities. States and territories advise that they will be ready to start rolling out supports under Thriving Kids on 1 October. That's really important.

There won't be access changes for children until January 2028, so we've got time to stand up a service system that will be ready for children from 2028. It's really important that states and territories who've signed their bilaterals are indicating that they're ready for this 1 October commencement date. These services will be stood up gradually over time towards that 2028 deadline.

They won't be like for like, Senator Steele-John. We've made that really clear. In fact, in initiating this work, we were conscious that the supports that were being provided through the NDIS for children with developmental delay, autism and low to moderate support needs were not necessarily aligned with best practice.

It's why we asked Professor Oberklaid to consider these questions. It's why we asked him to work with a very wide range of experts not only to tell us what best practice would look like but, more importantly, to reassure parents what best practice looks like for this cohort of children. We want them to do well.

We want parents to be supported. We want them to access supports that are consistent with all of the very good research and information we have about how to support kids. I'm actually very excited about the kick-off for Thriving Kids in October.

I think that there are going to be very important opportunities for families to connect with supports in the natural settings where they already visit, play and learn. There are real opportunities here for our communities. I do think, as I said earlier in this debate, that it's important that we deal with the facts as they are.

Change is challenging and frightening. We can face it together, but it's best if we do so on the basis of what is true and what is actually happening. The TEMPORARY CHAIR ( Senator Ciccone ): Minister—Senator Steele-John.