Health Minister Mark Butler has defended the federal government’s proposed reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), dismissing concerns raised during a Senate inquiry that cuts to the $55 billion program could endanger the lives of disabled Australians. Butler urged state and territory governments to collaborate promptly on implementing the changes, emphasizing the need to address cost and management issues within the scheme.

Butler acknowledged that the NDIS has expanded rapidly, describing it as "off track" and burdened by excessive expenses and exploitation. He stressed that the reforms aim to restore fiscal responsibility and curb misuse, stating that the government intends to take a "commonsense" and ethical approach to treatment decisions. However, when asked about the specifics of how treatment assessments would be conducted, Butler said those details would be "the subject of further negotiations and advice in the months going forward."

The minister’s remarks followed strong testimony from disability advocate and actor Hannah Diviney, who warned during the Senate inquiry that the proposed legislative changes could directly cause fatalities among disabled individuals. Diviney accused lawmakers of bearing responsibility for such outcomes if the reforms proceed as planned.

The inquiry also addressed resistance from state and territory governments, which submitted a joint statement urging the federal government to reconsider the pace and scope of the reforms. The states cautioned that the current bill lacks sufficient safeguards to ensure continued access to essential supports for disabled Australians and warned it could strain services outside the NDIS framework. Butler rejected calls from his state counterparts to delay implementation, emphasizing that the government would not abandon its timeline or allow participants to lose support.

He called on disability ministers across jurisdictions to work promptly with the Commonwealth to establish "foundational supports" outside the NDIS, referencing a 2023 national cabinet agreement that included a $4 billion commitment—funded equally by the states and Commonwealth—to programs such as Thriving Kids, designed to assist children with mild to moderate autism. However, state and territory disability ministers contend that Butler’s proposed overhaul exceeds the scope of that agreement.

As debates continue over the reforms, the federal government faces mounting pressure to clarify how it will balance fiscal sustainability with the rights and well-being of NDIS participants. Key decisions on oversight and treatment eligibility are expected in the coming months amid ongoing negotiations between the Commonwealth and state governments.