A dramatic reduction in human involvement in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is set to be implemented next year, with funding and support plans for participants to be generated entirely by a computer program.
Automated decision-making with little human oversight
Under the planned overhaul, which Guardian Australia can reveal, staff will have no discretion to amend the computer-generated plans. The shift represents a fundamental change in how the multi-billion dollar scheme operates, moving from individualised assessments to a standardised, automated model.
The changes are part of a major revamp aimed at reining in the scheme's costs. However, they raise significant concerns about fairness and the removal of human judgment from a system designed to support people with complex and varied needs. The new system is expected to offer participants little scope for appeal against the automated decisions.
Gambling reform impact questioned in separate report
In another exclusive report, new research indicates that one of the Albanese government's flagship gambling reforms has had a limited effect on Australia's heaviest bettors. The ban on using credit cards for online wagering, introduced to curb problem gambling, reportedly had the least impact on the biggest punters, who found alternative payment methods.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has also conceded that the government's world-leading plan to bar under-16s from social media might take "days or even weeks" to properly take effect, admitting the scheme "won't work perfectly from day one."
International tensions and domestic disputes
On the world stage, Vladimir Putin made a series of hawkish remarks ahead of talks with a US envoy in Moscow, stating Russia was "ready for war" if Europe wanted to fight. The bellicose statements come amid closed-door US-Russia discussions on Ukraine.
Domestically, mining magnate Gina Rinehart is facing opposition over plans to install a helipad at her new Perth headquarters. Her company argued helicopter pads are a modern business necessity at a City of Perth council planning meeting, but the council is expected to reject the proposal.
In Tasmania, a cultural milestone is being celebrated as children of the Palawa people are the first in 150 years to be born knowing the sounds of their own language, thanks to dedicated revitalisation efforts.
Meanwhile, as Naplan results are released, data has identified 20 schools that have overachieved across all areas compared to schools with similar socioeconomic backgrounds. One such school is Carlingford West in NSW, where for 96% of students, English is not their first language.
