Greens MLA Laura Nuttall introduced a motion to the Assembly calling on the Government to publicly oppose the Albanese Government’s proposed changes to the NDIS until foundational supports for all adults and children in the ACT are fully funded and operational. 

Labor moved amendments to the motion changing the calls on the Government from “publicly oppose the proposed changes to the NDIS until foundational supports for all adults and children in the ACT are fully funded, operational and embedded in communities” to “advocate for a strong, fair and sustainable NDIS that maintains essential supports for participants, ensuring that no changes are made where viable and appropriate alternatives are not in place.”

Thomas spoke in support of the intent behind the original motion, acknowledging that while the NDIS needs reform to deliver on its promise to people with disability, the way that the Federal Government has undertaken this reform has been deeply destabilising and harmful for the disability community. 

In his remarks, Thomas highlighted that the proposed changes will be occurring in a staged way, and that it is “absolutely critical that the appropriate supports are in place at each stage in that journey before the existing supports are removed”. He supported Labor’s amendments on the grounds that “it is not realistic for all supports that will be in place as part of this new system to be fully funded, operational and embedded in communities before any changes are made.”

Labor’s amendments passed with the support of Thomas and fellow independent MLAs Fiona Carrick and Leanne Castley, despite being opposed by the Liberals and the Greens.

The Liberals also moved an amendment that added a call on the ACT Government to publicly release, by 1 September 2026, a detailed implementation roadmap for foundational supports and Thriving Kids. This was agreed unanimously by the Assembly. 

The motion, as amended, passed the Assembly.