Overview

• Herbert MP Phil Thompson, a father of an autistic child, told parliament he fears rushed changes and scant consultation will leave families worse off.
• The government’s plan, called Thriving Kids, is designed for children with mild autism as an alternative to the existing scheme.
• Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned states and territories they could forfeit billions in extra hospital funding over five years if they do not back the plan.
• Labor says the reforms aim to slow the program’s growth to about five to six per cent a year, citing the scheme’s roughly $44 billion cost.
• NDIS Minister Mark Butler pledged there will be no gap in support during the two-year transition, as advocates and Greens figures question service adequacy and affordability.