Yesterday The Wire covered the story of Minister Mark Butler’s announcement of the Thriving Kids Program to become part of the Foundational Support.

Advocates and organisations have slammed the decision, saying some children will be left out without support.

Lee Smith is a mother of an autistic child, and says she was not impressed with this decision.

NDIS Minister Mark Butler responded, saying “I get that parents are feeling unsure after the announcement I had made yesterday. I want to reassure them that we’re not going to leave them high and dry. We’re going to make sure that there is a scheme well designed that gives them confidence that we’re going to do everything we can to support their kids to thrive, and there’ll be no gap between the stools. I’m not going to have people leaving the NDIS without a system in place to support them. If they’re on the NDIS now or into the future before this system starts, they will stay on the NDIS.”

Image: Image by Mimzy from Pixabay

Produced By: Emma Myers

Featured In Story: Lee Smith – Mother of an autistic child

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 26 August 2025