Thriving Kids program not intended to be state-based, advisory panel member claims

By bobb |
In short: A member of the Thriving Kids advisory panel says the state-based model being adopted is a departure from the original intention of the program. Tim Jones says he fears the program has been used to gain leverage during negotiations over public hospital funding. What's next? Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says the government is working constructively with the states and territories on the changes.

A4's submissions on Butler's NDIS Bill

By convenor |

Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) made submissions and appeared before the Senate Committee. Like the rest of the disability sector, A4 expressed extremely strong opposition to Labor's proposed legislation. 

A4's representative, Bob Buckley, appeared before the Committee at 12noon on 10/6/2026 ... together with representatives from the Australian Autism Alliance and SWAN/EAC. 

Attorney-general disavows responsibility for the recently-created Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

By convenor |

Recent communication with the Attorney-General shows major disinterest in whether the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) that the government created in 2024 works effectively. 

A4's major concerns with the operation of the ART's NDIS division include:

Please EAC, don't take side in autism issues

By convenor |

Dear EAC Board

Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) is disappointed and alarmed that EAC took a side on the issue of ABA (presumably meaning EIBI), a therapeutic application of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), through it's recent publication of anti-ABA articles authored by Ms Sarah Langston. In particular, we refer to https://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/thriving-kids-position-statement/ that says misleadingly:

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