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The bill to change the NDIS is quite open about its intention. Its parliamentary description uses the keywords: “define”, “limit”, “clarify (twice)”, “reduce funding”, “refine”, and “require”. It’s a bill to cut spending.

And this is exactly what Mark Butler says. There isn’t enough money, he insists, to support the “people with disability who require it most”. That’s why he told parliament the scheme has to be “returned to its original intention”.

So what are the next three days of Senate hearings into the bill, beginning in Melbourne today, actually about? Noise or substance?

The Greens are projecting anger and amplifying fear. The independents can - as they have - push for specific amendments. All will put witnesses on the record. But none of this will stop the bill.

The hearings are less a consultation process than performance art. Three days granted to allow everyone to express anger and dismay, but so far the government has offered no indication any part of the bill will be re-written or changed in any way.

What can change?

There are only two ways these hearings can change have an effect: by isolating clauses so egregious they must be amended; or generating enough public pressure to get the coalition to stop them in the Senate.

Otherwise it’s just evidence recieved; anger recorded; bill passed.

[continued on the abilityNEWS website]

The NDIS Bill enters public hearings today with the government still framing the package as offering financial sustainability. Participants say it’s about cuts.

The most consequential new issue is automation, with The Saturday Paper reporting the Bill would allow automated decisions involving discretion and evaluative judgment, turning the reform from a funding fight into an administrative, decision-making fight.

Why this matters: The next three days will be just a consultation exercise unless the resulting public furore urges the coalition to block or amend the bill.

Data Watch: Senate estimates on Friday revealed the NDIA spent more than $66 million in NDIA legal spending this financial year.

Bottom line: The still unresolved question is where people go as supports are reduced.

Senate hearing schedule confirms three days of scrutiny for the NDIS reform Bill

The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee lists public hearings on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 for 9 June in Melbourne, followed by 10 and 11 June in Canberra.

Australian Parliament House

NDIS reform page sets out the government’s official reform frame

The NDIS reform page says the Bill is intended to clarify eligibility and funded supports, address fraud, and update governance and administrative arrangements.

NDIS

Support at Home supplements update outlines thin-market funding

Health says Support at Home will include supplements paid into eligible participants’ budgets, including a pooled funding trial for co-located or close-knit communities.

Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Disability representative organisations highlight cross-sector concerns

Down Syndrome Australia says disability representative organisations have made a joint submission to the Senate inquiry, raising concerns about safeguards, consultation and the Bill’s impact across disability communities.

Down Syndrome Australia

Physical Disability Australia says the NDIS Bill should be rejected in its current form

Physical Disability Australia says it rejects the NDIS Amendment Bill as currently drafted.

Physical Disability Australia

Grattan authors outline what foundational supports should look like outside the NDIS

Sam Bennett and Owain Emslie argue foundational supports will only work if governments build effective alternatives for people who will no longer qualify for the NDIS.

InSight+

Cerebral Palsy Australia updates its NDIS reform explainer and submission material

Cerebral Palsy Australia outlines key issues for people with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy Australia

Mental Health Australia

Mental Health Australia warns the Bill may disproportionately affect people with psychosocial disability.

Mental Health Australia

ACT disability advocates say the NDIS Bill should not proceed in its current form

Advocacy for Inclusion says the NDIS Amendment Bill should not continue as written.

Advocacy for Inclusion

Exclusive: Unprecedented automation in NDIS decisions

The Saturday Paper reports the NDIS reform legislation would enable a major expansion of automated decision-making, including decisions involving discretion, evaluative judgement or state of mind. The article links the Bill to broader Robodebt-era concerns about automated government decisions, safeguards and review rights.

The Saturday Paper | Paywall: likely

NDIA’s staggering legal bill fighting NDIS participants revealed

News.com.au reports Senate estimates evidence that the NDIA has spent $66 million this financial year fighting participant appeals, up from $60 million the previous year and $44 million the year before that. The public report also says nearly 7,000 matters had been received in 2025–26 to the end of March.

News.com.au | Paywall: No

Opposition blasts Labor over unknown number of criminals accessing NDIS

The Australian reports Senate estimates heard there is no routinely updated figure for the number of serious criminals accessing NDIS supports. The story links this exchange to rising NDIA legal costs and broader pressure over fraud, integrity and participant cuts.

The Australian | Paywall: Yes

Budget hangs in the balance amid questions over tax and the NDIS

SBS News In Depth reports the government, Greens and Coalition are gridlocked over post-Budget measures on tax and the NDIS. The episode says participants face an anxious wait as the scheme heads toward major overhaul and significant cuts.

SBS News | Paywall: No

Interview: Dr Sam Bennett from Grattan Institute on future of the NDIS

SBS interviews Grattan Institute Disability Program Director Dr Sam Bennett about the future of the NDIS and what happens if proposed changes do not pass. The episode places the reform fight directly in the political framework of the budget.

SBS News | Paywall: No

Shelly did not attend an NDIS cuts protest. Despite her fear of isolation, she couldn’t leave the house

7NEWS reports Shelly Lapel, who is legally blind and lives with complex PTSD, could not attend a protest against NDIS cuts because she could not afford weekend or public-holiday carer rates under her current plan.

7NEWS | Paywall: No

Disability community says the NDIS is 'fighting the wrong battles' over funding plans at review tribunal

The ABC reports the NDIA spent $60 million on external lawyers fighting participants at the tribunal last financial year, despite a majority of reviewed decisions being overturned. Advocates argue money should be spent on better decisions in the first place.

ABC News | Paywall: No

Government accused of misleading public on NDIS cuts in heated Senate hearing

The ABC reports Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John accused the government of presenting NDIS cuts as fraud control, while NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister rejected the accusation. The exchange sharpened the central dispute over whether the Bill is primarily about fraud, sustainability or cuts to participant supports.

ABC News | Paywall: No

The most contentious parts of the NDIS bill being scrutinised today

ABC News explains the most contentious parts of the NDIS Bill as hearings begin, including sweeping ministerial powers, support reductions and the speed of the process.

ABC News | Paywall: No

Andrew Miller: NDIS burn-off misses the mark

Andrew Miller argues in The West Australian that the government’s NDIS reform rhetoric is framed around cost blowouts and fraud rather than cuts to services. The opinion piece says the scale of savings being targeted goes well beyond documented fraud and will require reduced or withdrawn supports for people with disability.

The West Australian | Paywall: Yes

Women to be hardest-hit by sweeping NDIS changes

The Nightly reports advocates expect women and families to carry more unpaid disability care if NDIS access changes proceed. The article says the inquiry is expected to hear evidence about the impact of eligibility changes and reductions in social and community participation funding.

The Nightly | Paywall: No

NDIS carer saves two clients from burning home

Nine reports an NDIS carer risked his life to save two wheelchair-using clients from a burning home.

Nine | Paywall: No

Geelong theatre company Centrestage Pty Ltd linked to NDIS fraudster Sy Giang Nguyen

The Herald Sun reports questions around Geelong theatre company Centrestage Pty Ltd and links to NDIS fraudster Sy Giang Nguyen.

Herald Sun | Paywall: Yes