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This is a guest opinion post from Brian Cooper.

Disability organisations know the language.

They speak fluently about inclusion, psychological safety and rights. They ask governments, providers and employers to act when harm is identified. But the harder test is internal.

What happens when a worker discloses their disability? What happens when somebody asks for adjustments, challenges practice, or raises concerns creating reputational risk?

If the response is defensive inclusion has become nothing more than performance. Policies may still exist but the culture has failed.

The Guardian’s April report on “Susan”, a disability support worker who said she was forced out after raising concerns about unsafe cost-cutting, shows why this matters. Safeguarding is not proven by the existence of a system. It is proven by what happens to the person who speaks.

[continued on the abilityNEWS website]

The concrete NDIS change yesterday was pricing. The NDIA released its 2026–27 Annual Pricing Review schedule amid warnings from allied health and provider groups that cuts could reduce access to therapy and will make fragile services harder to sustain.

Why this matters: The pricing review has landed at the worst possible political moment for the government. The Senate report into the NDIS bill is, as the politicians say, “in play”. Labor is still trying to find a way to slip both the NDIS reform and its tax hikes through between the Greens and the Liberals.

This has only been successful in alienating both sides. The truth seems to be that Labor is determined to push ahead without tolerating any amendments to the NDIS bill, no matter how appropriate they are or what evidence is brought before the review committee.

Data Watch: The NDIA says this year’s pricing review used more than 16 million therapy transactions, around 5 million more than last year. AHPA says more than 465,000 NDIS participants could be affected by reduced access to therapy supports.

NDIA releases annual pricing review for 2026–27

The NDIA has released its Annual Pricing Review and pricing schedule for 2026–27, saying the report gives guidance on appropriate NDIS prices and that providers must discuss any proposed service-agreement changes with participants before changes are made.

Source: NDIS

NDIA says pricing schedule can guide prices from 1 July

The NDIA’s pricing update says providers can use the new pricing schedule from 1 July 2026, and again links the review to the government’s proposed pricing-determination powers in the NDIS Amendment Bill.

Source: NDIS

ABC seeks emerging storytellers with disability

The Disability Gateway says the Australian Government is partnering with the ABC to support emerging content makers with disability for International Day of People with Disability.

Source: Disability Gateway

NDIS Commission records new national banning order

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s compliance register records a two-year banning order taking effect nationally from 5pm on 22 June 2026 after a finding of a Code of Conduct breach involving safe and competent support.

Source: NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

Allied Health Peak body warns therapy access at risk

Allied Health Professions Australia says the annual pricing review risks reducing access to therapy supports for more than 465,000 NDIS participants after price freezes or reductions across most allied health professions.

Source: Allied Health Professions Australia

Exercise physiology peak says NDIS fee cuts will limit access

Exercise & Sports Science Australia says NDIS fee cuts to exercise physiology services will limit access for participants and put further pressure on providers.

Source: Exercise & Sports Science Australia

WWDA says report delay must be used for reflection

Women With Disabilities Australia says the delayed Senate inquiry report should be used by the government and parliament to properly consider the evidence and ensure reforms do not leave people without the support they need.

Source: Women With Disabilities Australia

NDS says pricing changes add pressure, not relief

National Disability Services says the NDIA’s 2026–27 pricing changes add pressure on quality providers rather than relief. It provides a further analysis for its members.

Source: National Disability Services

Fearful families on edge as NDIS Bill waits to be debated.

Powerd Media reports families and advocates remain fearful about the NDIS Amendment Bill. The story draws on evidence from PWDA, A4, Every Australian Counts, and Ashleigh Clarke, who says NDIS support is essential to her independence and parenting. The article frames the bill as a live risk to trust in government, noting Mark Butler’s insistence that the legislation is ready to proceed.

Source: Powerd Media | Paywall: No

Greens continue negotiations with Labor over CGT, NDIS changes

News.com.au reports the Greens are using “every lever” to oppose NDIS cuts as Labor negotiates over CGT reforms, with the possible extension of NDIS scrutiny emerging as part of the wider Senate bargaining.

Source: news.com.au | Paywall: No

Queensland charity closes 'life-changing' NDIS employment support program the ORCA Project

Wesley Mission Queensland will close its ORCA Project employment support program on 26 June, citing rising costs and ongoing NDIS funding-model changes. The ABC reports the program supported 90 young people with disability and more than 300 work experience placements last year.

Source: ABC News | Paywall: No

Labor facing fight to push tax, NDIS reforms through parliament

SBS News In Depth listed a 22 June episode on Labor’s fight to push tax and NDIS reforms through parliament, reflecting the way the NDIS bill is now being treated as part of a wider Senate bargaining problem.

Source: SBS News In Depth | Paywall: No

NDIS overhaul stalls as Labor looks to secure deals

AAP reports the final Senate committee report into the NDIS overhaul may be delayed again, with an interim report expected instead as Labor seeks deals with the Coalition and Greens.

Source: AAP | Paywall: No

Young Labor Left says NDIS reform will ‘cost lives’

The Australian reports that Young Labor Left NSW has criticised the government’s NDIS bill, warning that the removal of supports could “cost lives” and opposing financial sustainability being added as an object of the scheme.

Source: The Australian | Paywall: Yes

NDIS laws could make or break budget tax reform

Canberra Times reports that Labor’s NDIS legislation has become entangled with its wider Budget and tax-reform negotiations, as the government seeks Senate support before the winter break.

Source: Canberra Times | Paywall: Likely

David McWilliams charged over alleged $10m NDIS fraud amid claims it funded luxury lifestyle

The Australian reports that Gold Coast man David McWilliams faces criminal charges linked to an alleged $10 million NDIS specialist disability accommodation fraud.

Source: The Australian — legal affairs | Paywall: Yes

Negotiations over tax reforms and NDIS cuts underway

Crikey reports that the Albanese government is negotiating with the Greens over tax reforms and NDIS cuts ahead of the winter break, underlining how NDIS reform is now tied to a wider Senate numbers game.

Source: Crikey | Paywall: Likely