On 30 September, I brought together parents, carers, disability providers.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 09:53 to 10:04

On 30 September, I brought together parents, carers, disability advocates, allied health professionals, educators, service providers and New South Wales government representatives for a community roundtable on the new Thriving Kids program. I also invited members of the Bradfield community to share their thoughts and questions through a survey. I heard from 78 people—parents and carers but also health professionals, educators, service providers and community organisations—and 66 others submitted questions or comments to policymakers. I organised this event because, since Thriving Kids was announced, many, many people have contacted my office to share their thoughts and concerns about the changes. Thank you to everyone who participated, particularly those who shared deeply personal experiences about the challenges facing their children.

Everyone I heard from wants the same thing from Thriving Kids: for children to receive appropriate and effective support early so they have every opportunity to learn, participate and thrive. But the message from my community is also very clear that families and frontline professionals do not have enough information about how this major reform will operate. Parents fear that children could fall through the cracks between the NDIS and the new system. They're worried about losing trusted therapists, established relationships and supports tailored to their children's individual needs. Families and healthcare professionals alike questioned whether group based services will be suitable for children, particularly those with complex or co-occurring needs. They also raised important questions about privacy, choice and control safeguards, accountability and how children's individual needs will be assessed. There is a concern that programs will be rushed and implemented with inadequate data-gathering analysis. Allied health professionals and small-service providers told me that they're also facing considerable uncertainty. They don't know yet what role they'll have in the new system, how services will be commissioned or whether their businesses will even remain viable.

Thriving Kids must not simply shift responsibility from one overstretched system to the other. Nor should reform come at the cost of continuity of care or the trusted relationships that families have spent years building. Participants understood that a reform of this scale will involve some difficult implementation challenges, but they rightly expect governments to communicate changes clearly and well in advance and to work closely with families and frontline professionals. I'll keep listening to my community as Thriving Kids is rolled out. I will continue pressing for clear, timely communication, strong safeguards and accountability, proper workforce planning and genuine continuity of care. I'll push for the voices of children and families to be at the centre of reform. No family should be left to navigate this transition alone.