Media Release
FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER 2025

For media inquiries, please contact Cheryl Koch via comms@asan-aunz.org or text (then call) 0423 042 795.

Australian Government erodes disability rights by ignoring autistic and disabled peoples’ lived expertise.

ASAN AUNZ is deeply concerned by the Government’s handling of NDIS Reforms and Thriving Kids. The Australian Government is failing on its commitment to co-design reforms in partnership with people with disability.

Authentic co-design requires collaboration and joint decision making that includes representations from all stakeholders at all stages and levels of the process. This includes autistic and neurodivergent people, and people with disability.

Unsafe government behaviour at thriving kids inquiry

The Thriving Kids inquiry’s Public Hearings have demonstrably favoured evidence from service providers over service recipients both in time allocated and sentiment.

ASAN AUNZ Deputy Chair, Alexandra Bignell stated the actions by government officials on the day was an “upsetting reminder to the autistic community of the ableism we are up against”.

During the hearing on Monday 17 November 2025, government officials “repeatedly shut down, minimised and dismissed” neurodivergent advocates, including by disregarding their accessibility requirements.

“We felt humiliated and condescended. Unfortunately, the behaviour perfectly demonstrated a much deeper problem of ableism within government services that are apparently designed to help disabled people,” Cheryl Koch, ASAN AUNZ Chair said.

Government advisory groups don't include our representatives

The 17 person Thriving Kids Advisory Group > has only one person from a disability representative organisation (DRO or DRCO), and no persons identifying as having lived experience as a child with the identities the program is intended to support.

Members of the Advisory Group have ongoing interests in programs and organisations that are likely to be engaged in the program, for example Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS), Monash Children’s Research Institute, National Disability Services and Autism CRC.

This is mirrored in NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee forums, including sub-committees, with only one person from a disability representative organization out of 45 people, while more than 30 have affiliations with universities, and at least 15 have related commercial interests.

“Authentic co-design is not optional—it is a right under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Anything less perpetuates systemic ableism and undermines trust in government processes.” Cheryl Koch said.

NDIS clarify, "not fit for purpose" means "Suitable"

Despite announcing in September that the I-CAN tool was “not fit for purpose without further development”, last Friday the NDIA stated they had “mis-spoken” and that the tool is suitable for people over 16 without complex needs. This undermines the disability community’s trust in Government and its commitment to co-design reforms.

The Government has entered agreements and created design hubs to start development that bypass its commitments to participants in the co-design process – the Disability Reform Ministerial Council >, NDIS Reform Advisory Committee > and the Independent Advisory Council – and violate the Government’s own Disability Reform Roadmap >.

government's systemic exclusion of autistic advocates

The government’s wider disability reforms have “failed” key co-design benchmarks.

“Lived expertise advocacy organisations are being excluded from critical disability service forums, and, like we’ve seen at the Thriving Kids inquiry, face processes that are inaccessible and harmful when trying to contribute,” said Cheryl Koch.

“This lack of co-design is not only disrespectful, it is also fundamentally inconsistent with Australia’s obligations to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”

asan aunz calls for suspension of disability reforms

In response to the Thriving Kids inquiry and wider NDIS reforms, ASAN AUNZ are calling on the government to suspend all disability reforms until authentic co-design and governance safeguards are in place.

“Accessibility is a right, not a favour,” said Cheryl Koch.

“This means ensuring lived expertise groups have equal representation in all decision-making forums, and that the government publish all agreements and governance arrangements related to the needs assessment tool and reform processes.”

Suspend disability reforms until inclusive governance is guaranteed
The Government should immediately suspend NDIS and Thriving Kids reforms until authentic co-design processes and governance safeguards are in place. Sufficient time must be allocated to meaningfully and effectively co-design and test the reforms with the disability community to ensure they are safe and effective for the people they are designed to support.

Restore Representation and Transparency
Existing forums should be dissolved, and the Government should ensure lived groups have equal representation in all decision-making forums and publish all agreements and governance arrangements related to the needs assessment tool and reform processes.

Commit to Human Rights and Accountability
The Government should publicly reaffirm Australia’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and initiate an independent review of NDIA’s consultation processes to ensure compliance.

ASAN AUNZ has written an open letter to the Australian Government urging it to act swiftly to address transparency and accountability within disability reforms, and welcomes signatures from the public.

Nothing About Us, Without Us.

#NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #DisabilityReformFail #ThrivingKidsBreaksTrust #StopRoboNDIS

Here are ASAN AUNZ’s statements and letters on this issue: