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Queensland health minister still has major concerns about Thriving Kids

Tim Nicholls, the Queensland health minister, said the state still has major concerns about the federal government’s Thriving Kids program, which will move children under nine years old with mild development delays and autism off the NDIS. Queensland is the only state yet to sign on to the plan, which is expected to be fully set up by 2028.

We want to make sure that any system that does replace what the Commonwealth is trying to do – and let’s face it, the Commonwealth is cost shifting to the states in regard to this – is able to provide the adequate supports that people need in those circumstances in those early years. …

We’re not going to sign up to that until we’re convinced that there is a program that can be done.

We want to make sure we get it right and don’t leave kids who need support and their families out of the considerations we’re taking.