NDIS Insights with Dr George

NDIS Insights with Dr George

by Dr George Taleporos
NDIS Bill Showdown: Exclusive Interview with Senator Jordon Steele-John
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.
Human Rights Lawyers Unpack the NDIS Bill: “People Will Be Harmed”
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.
NDIS Promise Broken? Advocates Unpack the Sweeping NDIS Bill Changes
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.
Inside the Biggest Changes to Our NDIS
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
Support Needs Assessments: NDIS Changes Unpacked
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
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.
NDIS Funding Periods & Support Lists: Unpacked by Expert Lawyers –Reasonable & Necessary w/Dr George
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.
New Government… Now What for the NDIS? | Reasonable & Necessary LIVE
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.
Moving Out, Moving On:Beyond Group Homes in the NDIS-Reasonable & Necessary with Dr George Taleporos
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.
Exclusive first interview with NDIS Commissioners Louise Glanville and Natalie Wade
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.
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