Australia’s leading podcast on the NDIS, hosted by Dr George Taleporos. Get sharp analysis, compelling interviews and clear commentary on the reforms, policies and decisions shaping the lives of people with disability and our families. With lived experience of disability and decades of expertise in advocacy, research and policy, Dr George asks the questions the community wants answered and cuts through the jargon to explain what matters, why it matters, and what it could mean for you. Important! Please note that episodes of this podcast will appear first on YouTube and will soon be exclusively posted on YouTube. Please subscribe to the channel here for the latest episode and the best experience including chapter headings and full video and captions. Note: As of the 14 of April 2026, the Summer Foundation is no longer affiliated with this podcast. It is now independently produced and hosted by Dr George Taleporos. RSSVERIFY
In this episode of NDIS Insights with Dr George, Dr George Taleporos speaks with Senator Jordon Steele-John about the latest developments in the fight over the Government’s NDIS Bill. After huge pressure from people with disability, families, advocates and providers, the Greens secured some protections in the Bill the Senate inquiry has been extended by eight weeks. Senator Steele-John explains what changed, what protections the Greens secured, and why he believes the Bill still needs to be scrapped. This conversation covers the major risks in the Bill, including broad ministerial powers to cut supports, automated decision-making, treatment requirements before NDIS access, support ratios, and the risk of people being pushed back into unsafe and undignified support arrangements. George and Jordon also discuss what happens next, how the disability community can keep up the pressure, and why the next eight weeks matter. This is an important conversation for people with disability, families, supporters, advocates, providers and anyone who cares about the future of the NDIS. Please watch, comment and share widely. For the best experience, watch this episode on the NDIS Insights with Dr George YouTube channel.
In this episode of NDIS Insights with Dr George, Dr George Taleporos speaks with three human rights and disability lawyers about the serious legal and human rights implications of the proposed NDIS Bill. Guests Mitchell Skipsey from the Justice and Equity Centre, Naomi Anderson from Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service and Belinda Kochanowska from Intrepidus Law unpack what this Bill could mean for people with disability and families who rely on the NDIS. The lawyers warn that the Bill would give government extraordinary power to cut supports, while leaving participants with fewer ways to challenge decisions that affect our lives. Subscribe to NDIS Insights with Dr George for more analysis, interviews and advocacy on the future of the NDIS. Thank you to People With Disability Australia for supporting this episode. For the best experience, watch this episode on the NDIS Insights with Dr George YouTube channel.
For a better experience, please watch and subscribe on YouTube here In this episode of NDIS Insights with Dr George , formerly known as Reasonable & Necessary , powerful disability advocates unpack the NDIS Bill as our community is desperately struggling to understand what's at stake. Dr George speaks with: Megan Spindler-Smith Acting CEO of People with Disability Australia Dr Stevie Lang Howson Organiser with Disabled People Against Cuts Australia Skye Kakoschke-Moore CEO of Children and Young People with Disability Australia Together, they discuss what the proposed changes could mean for people with disability and our families, including tighter eligibility, cuts to social and community participation supports, new powers for the Minister, block funding, appeal rights, and the future of choice and control in the NDIS. The conversation also looks at what happens next, including the parliamentary inquiry process, how people can make submissions, and why the disability community needs to be heard before decisions are made that could reshape the NDIS for years to come. This is a serious and important discussion about the future of our NDIS, the promise of reasonable and necessary support, and the rights of people with disability to live safely, with dignity, inclusion and control over our own lives. Please subscribe, like, comment and share this episode with anyone who needs to understand what is at stake.
What's happening behind the scenes of the biggest changes to our NDIS? In this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George Taleporos speaks with El Gibbs and Dougie Herd, Co-Chairs of the NDIS Reform Advisory Council, about the biggest changes to our NDIS and what they could mean for participants, families and the future of choice and control. Together, they unpack some of the biggest issues facing the disability community right now. This is an important conversation about what is at stake, why these changes matter, and why people with disability must be at the centre of decisions about the future of our NDIS. Chapters 00:00 Opening 01:11 Introduction, Dr George Taleporos welcomes El Gibbs and Dougie Herd 01:45 What the NDIS Reform Advisory Council does and why it matters 04:34 Support Needs Assessments, key concerns and why the community is worried 09:08 How assessments could shape budgets and planning 13:10 Budget calculators, transparency and the risk of unfair cuts 17:57 Appeals, review rights and the fear of a closed loop 25:45 Group homes, individualised living and real choice about where people live 33:54 Restrictive support lists, funding periods and choice and control 38:44 Final reflections and words to the disability community
The NDIS is undergoing its biggest planning reform since the scheme began, with Support Needs Assessments set to transform how NDIS plan budgets are created but what will this really mean for people with disability and their families? In this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George Taleporos sits down with Aaron Verlin, Acting Deputy CEO of the NDIA, and Professor Jason Thompson from the University of Melbourne to unpack the new planning approach. They break down how the Support Needs Assessment works, how the I-CAN tool is being adapted, who will conduct assessments, and what the rollout will look like. We also tackle the questions everyone’s asking: Will this lead to budget cuts? How long will assessments take? Will allied health reports still matter? What about people with complex needs? And what if the assessment gets it wrong? If you want a clear, practical explanation of what’s changing and why it matters, this episode is essential listening. Note: The podcast was recorded on 21 November 2025. It may not reflect all recent discussion on the topic.
Exclusive: NDIS Deep Dive with Minister Jenny McAllister In this exclusive in-depth interview, Minister Jenny McAllister joins Dr George Taleporos on the Reasonable & Necessary podcast to share her vision for the future of the NDIS. We cover: ✅ How the Support Needs Assessment will shape plans and budgets ✅ The introduction of Thriving Kids and foundational supports ✅ NDIS pricing and long-term sustainability ✅ Changes to provider registration and safeguards ✅ Moving away from group homes towards more individualised living Every NDIS participant, family member, and provider will be affected by these changes. Listen now to hear directly from the Minister about what’s ahead.
In this must-watch episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George Taleporos is joined by two of Australia’s top disability rights lawyers—Dr Darren O’Donovan (La Trobe University) and Sian Thomas (Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion)—to unpack what the recent changes to the NDIS. What are funding periods and when can you ask for longer ones? What’s the problem with NDIS support lists—and how can they be fixed? What are your rights when decisions don’t reflect your individual needs? From rent (for in-home support) to air conditioners to stovetops, we explore real-life examples of how rigid rules are creating barriers—and what you can do about it. Whether you're an NDIS participant, advocate, family member, or provider, this episode will give you the tools to understand your rights and challenge unfair decisions.
What does the new political landscape mean for people with disability and the future of the NDIS? In this special live episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George Taleporos is joined by an incredible panel of disability leaders – El Gibbs, Trinity Ford, and Anna Burke – to unpack what the election result means for the disability community.
Why are tens of thousands of Australians with disability still being placed in group homes under the NDIS and what can be done about it? In this episode, Dr George Taleporos is joined by Jess Walker and Anna Burke from the Summer Foundation to unpack their new report, Moving Out, Moving On, which calls for urgent reform of housing and living supports under the NDIS. We explore the hidden cost of group homes, the benefits of Individualised Living Arrangements (ILAs), and hear from Bar and Matt, two people who are living proof that a better way is possible.
In this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George sits down with Louise Glanville, Commissioner of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, and Natalie Wade, the Associate Commissioner. Together, they discuss the future of the NDIS Commission, the upcoming changes to NDIS regulation and more.
In this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George Taleporos interviews Minister for the NDIS and Social Services, Amanda Rishworth. They examine Support Needs Assessments, including the rollout timeline. The Minister addresses concerns about funding reductions and outlines the government's commitment to fairness and transparency. The discussion also covers foundational supports, the in and out lists and the importance of individualised living arrangements. With a federal election approaching, the Minister outlines the government's priorities for the NDIS if re-elected. This episode provides valuable insights for NDIS participants, families, providers, and advocates seeking to stay informed about the future of disability support in Australia.
In this in-depth conversation, we learn how a lifelong relationship with a childhood friend sparked One2One CEO Rod Davies’ passion to deliver truly human-centered housing and support solutions for people with disability. Rod takes us through the process his organisation uses for determining the best arrangement for each person and why it’s critical to learn what is most meaningful and valuable for that person. Tune into the latest episode to learn more about why individualised living arrangements are the ‘great opportunity’ of the NDIS.
On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George is joined by Rebecca Falkingham, CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency. In this exclusive interview, they talk through the changes to the NDIS Act that come into effect today and explain what these changes mean for participants. Check it out!
On the NEW episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George meets Dr Sam Bennett from the Grattan Institute to discuss his new report on reforming NDIS housing and support: https://grattan.edu.au/report/better-safer-more-sustainable-how-to-reform-ndis-housing-and-support/ He is also joined by Nicole Cox from MyPlace, an organisation that has been supporting people with disabilities to establish and maintain individualised home and living solutions for almost 30 years. How can we help more people with disabilities escape from group homes and live more inclusive lives in the community? Let’s find out!
On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George meets Sam Paior from The Growing Space and Chris Coombes from DSC. They discuss the Government's attempt to redefine what the NDIS will pay for. They examine the draft lists of NDIS supports and consider what should and should not be included. They also discuss some of the unintended consequences of narrowing the definition of an NDIS support.
On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George meets with Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess. They chat about her fight for disability rights on the world stage and what she thinks about changes to the NDIS back home. They also cover the disability Royal Commission and the Disability Discrimination Act. Rosemary calls for minimum accessibility standards for all new housing, an end to segregation, and a human rights-based approach across all government policy.
On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George meets with disability rights advocate El Gibbs and disability law expert Mitchell Skipsey to discuss the NDIS Bill, the recent amendments and what is needed to ensure that the NDIS Bill meets the needs of NDIS participants. The guests highlight the importance of constraints on the NDIA's information gathering powers and the need for strengthening avenues for appeals. They also highlight the importance of considering the whole person in determining support packages. They explain what happens next and express hope that the Senate committee will recommend further amendments to address the concerns of the disability community.
On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George meets with Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John to understand his position on the changes to the NDIS legislation that are currently before Parliament. The Senator expresses concerns and why he believes these changes will negatively impact participants. He explains his thinking behind this position and why the changes may result in less choice and control for NDIS participants.
On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George meets with disability law experts Mitchell Skipsey, and Dr Darren O'Donovan to understand the changes to the NDIS Act. They explore the reasons for the changes, and how these changes may impact on NDIS participants. The conversation highlights the importance of involving people with disabilities in the decision-making process and ensuring that the changes lead to positive outcomes for participants. The experts emphasise the need for stronger protections to ensure participant choice and control are upheld. They suggest some amendments to the Act and encourage listeners to engage in the Senate inquiry and make submissions to express their views and concerns.
On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George meets with the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce to understand the role of the taskforce and learn if changes to registration requirements will impact on our rights to choice and control in the NDIS. To learn more check out the website below: https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-standards-and-quality-assurance/ndis-provider-and-worker-registration-taskforce
