The following list shows A4's recent advocacy. This list contains both publications (including briefs and submissions) and communications (letters & emails).

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hoping for a better Administrative Review Tribunal

By bobb |

Dear Justice Kyrou and Mr Michael Hawkins

I write about some of the operations of the NDIS Division of the new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). 

I am a volunteer advocate and have now helped over 60 NDIS participants in their requests for the AAT and ART to review the statements of participant supports (SOPS) in their NDIS Plans. These have mostly been reviews of plans for young autistic NDIS participants.

National Autism Roadmap: Nice vision, but where is the funding?

By convenor |
Australia's National Autism ¾-Strategy - blue circle with 1/4 cut out

Media Release

Autistic Australians and their carers are calling for answers after a long-awaited plan to address the disparities in healthcare for Autistic individuals was today released by the Australian Government's Department of Health, with the disclaimer that funding is yet to be secured. 

The roadmap, which was drafted in December 2024 was reviewed by Minister Rishworth and Minister Butler before reaching the Prime Minister’s desk, who declined funding under his government.

Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-31 ... 2024 Update - autistic Australians are still missing

By convenor |
Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031 logo plus test - Creating and Inclusive community together

14 days after the release of Australia's National Autism ¾-Strategy (NA¾S), the Government released its 2024 update to Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-31 (ADS). 

In respect of the ADS, the NA¾S said: 

The Evaluation Good Practice Guide Checklist developed under ADS will underpin the approach to [NA¾S] evaluation activities. 

and 

Autism disability representative organisation's response to National Autism ¾-Strategy

By convenor |

On the 14/1/2025, DSS Minister Rishworth and the federal government released ¾ of its National Autism Strategy (NA¾S)[1]. While we welcome the limited progress planned, we note that the 4th part of a full strategy, the so-called Health Roadmap for Autism, is missing. Also, DSS officials who wrote the ¾-Strategy failed to address many fundamental issues that need urgent action. In its current form, the NA¾S is deeply disappointing to say the very least.

The Need to Protect the Integrity of the National Autism Strategy

By bobb |
Monique Blakemore

Autistic Australians have long faced systemic neglect, with their specific needs often overlooked or diluted under broader, generalized policies. While neurodiversity has gained recognition, we must be clear: the needs of Autistic people are unique and cannot be swept under the umbrella of neurodiversity. To do so risks erasing our voices and our experiences.

Federal Government bribes states, breaks promises on Foundational Support

By bobb |

Through Rick Morton's excellent investigative journalism and reports from grassroots NDIS Participants, our suspicions about the political deal-making behind the extraordinarily misguided amendments and their consequences are being confirmed. Despite the vitriolic public smear campaign waged against opponents of the legislation, it is now very clear that:

Complaint about DSS sponsored advice on ABA for families of autistic children

By convenor |

Dear sir/madam

I write to formally protest the current content of your webpage 
https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapies-guide/applied-behaviour…
Its content is very poor quality and largely misleading. I suggest you revert to the page's previous content until more appropriate content can be developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders. 
I raised my concerns previously on 7/1/2025 but I have not heard from you. Please acknowledge my complaint.

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