Minister Challenges Butler on Thriving Kids Rollout

The topic is about children.

The date is Friday, 26 June 2026, at 5:36 am.

The first phase of Thriving Kids will start in October this year.

Here is a brief summary:

A member of the Thriving Kids advisory panel says the state-based model is different from the original plan.

Tim Jones fears the program is being used to gain leverage in hospital funding talks.

What happens next?

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says the government is working with the states and territories on the changes.

A member of the Thriving Kids advisory panel is concerned about the program's rollout, saying it may leave vulnerable families at risk.

Dr. Tim Jones, a member of the advisory panel, was chosen by the government to help design the program.

He said the panel did not expect the states to take on so much responsibility for services.

He feared the program was used to gain leverage in hospital funding negotiations.

Dr. Jones said the panel thought they were giving the federal government a plan it wanted to implement.

Thriving Kids is part of the government's plan to reduce the cost of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Dr. Jones thinks Thriving Kids may have been used as a bargaining chip in the National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA).

The NHRA was agreed upon after a long dispute between the states and the Commonwealth over hospital funding.

The Commonwealth agreed to give an extra $25 billion to public hospitals over five years.

The states agreed to restart state-based disability services that closed when the NDIS began.

Parents and experts warn that some children may fall through the cracks.

The Thriving Kids advisory panel finished its report in December 2025.

In August 2025, the government said the final program design would be decided between the Australian government and the states and territories.

When fully operational, the $4 billion program will support children under nine with autism and developmental delay.

Queensland is the only state that has not signed up to the deal.

The remaining states and territories have agreed to deliver most of the program's services.

Dr. Jones is worried about families that move states because complex models do not transfer across state lines.

Thriving Kids is set to start in October and be fully rolled out by January 2028.

'Cost-shifting exercise'

The disability minister from Queensland says it is a lie to suggest people with disabilities will not fall through the cracks.

Queensland Disability Minister Amanda Camm said the federal government did not consult effectively with the states.

She said the government is making commitments to families without details.

Ms. Camm said Queensland has not signed a bilateral agreement due to lack of information.

She said states are being asked to create services without agreement on autism and developmental delay definitions.

Ms. Camm said it is a cost-shifting exercise from the federal government to the states with little detail.

Amanda Camm has criticized the federal government's approach to Thriving Kids.

A spokesperson for NDIS Minister Mark Butler said the states and territories were given a definition of low to moderate support needs.

In April, Mr. Butler announced changes to the NDIS that would limit who has access to the scheme.

Mr. Butler detailed plans to cut $38 billion from the NDIS's spending over four years.

State and territory disability ministers were briefed on the proposed changes on the same day as the speech.

Mark Butler is confident the government's plan is the right one for the NDIS.

However, last week Mr. Butler said the government was working constructively with the states and territories.

Mr. Butler said disability ministers know how important these reforms are.

He said he is convinced the plan he announced is the right one for the NDIS.

The federal government will contribute $2 billion to set up Thriving Kids.

At least $1.4 billion will go directly to the states on a per capita basis.

Other experts are optimistic about the program's future.

Paediatrician and independent MP Monique Ryan said the government is rolling out Thriving Kids too fast.

Dr. Ryan said there are not yet supports in place for vulnerable children.

It is clear that there are real risks.

Dr. Ryan said the government is looking for a cost-effective way to provide support, but it is moving ahead too quickly.

When the NDIS was being rolled out, it was likened to a plane being built while flying.

Monique Ryan says Thriving Kids is rolling out too quickly.

Dr. Jones said he is concerned about the pace of the Thriving Kids rollout.

It will take time to meet the needs of the children.

Dr. Jones worries that the federal government is driving things too fast due to budget concerns.

He is hearing from colleagues that autistic children are having trouble finding support on the NDIS.

Dr. Jones said GPs are sharing stories about kids not receiving timely support.

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