Nine To Noon Govt backtracks on 2024 controversial disability cuts
Mar 11, 2026
Alistair Hill, General Manager overseeing disability support transformation, explains the rollback of the 2024 funding changes and return of flexible funding. He outlines what supports are allowed again and how budgets and eligibility will be protected. He also discusses where extra funding came from and plans for predictable, sustainable funding and consistent needs assessments.
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Families Report Trauma And Unacknowledged Petition
- Emily Wright described families as traumatised by the abrupt removal of supports in 2024.
- Over 10,000 people signed a petition demanding acknowledgement and apology that went unacknowledged by the Minister.
Supports Loss Drove School Exits And Unemployment
- Christy Kiwini and Katie Thomas said loss of supports forced autistic children out of mainstream schools and increased caregiver unemployment.
- Carers lost respite, many had to stop working, and families experienced long-term cumulative harm.
Flexibility Restores Real-Time Choice
- Alistair Hill said removing the purchasing rules restores people’s ability to adapt supports as needs change.
- He framed flexible decisions as necessary because lives and care needs are dynamic, not static.