Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a question I asked today regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The government's NDIS announcement is discriminatory. It is dangerous, and it's based on spin not evidence. Autistic Australians are being used as a political football, and it is simply unacceptable. Autism is lifelong. I cannot believe that I have to say that in this chamber to correct stigma spread by a government minister. There is no 'growing out' of autism. Terms like 'mild' and 'moderate' in relation to autism have no clinical basis. They are political inventions designed to strip people of the supports that they need. So-called replacement programs don't stack up. Inklings is aimed at caregivers of babies, between the ages of six months and 18 months, and is already facing serious transparency concerns. Thriving Kids feels like a last-minute curveball. Both need more evidence at the very least before being rolled out on such a large scale.

The autistic community has endured decades of exclusion, of harmful therapies and of discrimination and abuse. They deserve real support from their government, not stigma, spin and cuts dressed up as reform. People are scared. This announcement is deeply shameful. It will drive up worse outcomes for our community. Deputy President, my time for this take note is split with my colleague Senator Allman-Payne.

Question agreed to.