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.

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

In Part 2 of our deep dive into the NDIS Review we explore assessments, navigators and psychosocial supports and talk about what happens next. What happens when you bring together Australia's leading disability advocates and academics to dive deep into the recommendations by the NDIS Review? To find out check out this episode of Reasonable & Necessary for an in-depth, no holds barred examination of the most controversial NDIS Review recommendations.

What happens when you bring together Australia's leading disability advocates and academics to dive deep into the recommendations by the NDIS Review? To find out check out this episode of Reasonable & Necessary for an in depth, no holds barred examination of the most controversial NDIS Review recommendations. In this 1st part, the panel examines mandatory provider registration and the recommendation that participants who need 24/7 support should be funded to share with 2 other NDIS participants. What does this all mean for participant choice and control? Let’s find out…

On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George brings together Australia's leading disability advocates to unpack the NDIS Review. Dr George, along with El Gibbs, Nick Avery, Jarrod Sandell-Hay and Sam Paior will guide you through all the big changes that are proposed, and what they might mean for you.

On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George speaks with disability rights lawyer Natalie Wade, about NDIS appeals, the NDIS Review and her nationally televised speech on the ABC.

On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Professor Bruce Bonyhady and Lisa Paul give their final interview and reveal major changes that will be recommended in the NDIS Review final report. This is a must see episode for anyone interested in the NDIS.

On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George speaks to Alastair McEwin, Former Commissioner, Disability Royal Commission about what the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of people with disability will mean 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.

On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George speaks with international expert on self-directed disability supports and citizenship, Dr Simon Duffy and NDIS participant and researcher Dr Mark Brown about their new report “Redesigning the NDIS”. The report highlights the need for a sustainable NDIS, built through codesign with reliable personal budgets and peer support at the centre. It was written to stimulate discussion and debate in the disability community about NDIS 2.0, 3.0 and beyond.

On this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, Dr George speaks with Mitchell Skipsey from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and NDIS participant and activist, Felice Vaiani, about NDIS appeals and what to do when your NDIS plan doesn't meet your needs. This episode is full of lots of great advice, and important things to consider when appealing NDIS decisions. You can also check out a new resource series created by the Housing Hub and PIAC teams on Challenging NDIS Decisions. These resources cover a range of interesting topics including how to request a review of an NDIS decision that you don’t agree with, how to apply to the AAT for an external review, how to find out the reasons behind an NDIS decision, how to request access to documents from the NDIS and how to ask for more time to apply to the AAT. You can access the resources here: https://www.housinghub.org.au/resources/article/challenging-ndis-decisions This episode was recorded on 25 July 2023 and is part of the Reasonable and Necessary podcast series. For more episodes visit: https://www.summerfoundation.org.au/resources/reasonable-and-necessary-podcast-series/

On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George speaks with Donna Purcell and Jeannie Hodges from the NDIA & CEO of Hazzah & NDIS participant Ben Paior-Smith to find out how you can use your NDIS funding to find and maintain employment. We also look at what employers can do to get more disabled people into work.

On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George speaks with Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM and Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM about early findings from the NDIS Review and what the NDIS might look like in the future.

On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George speaks with Minister Bill Shorten about the 2023 NDIS budget to understand what the budget will mean for people with disabilities and our families. Is there a cap on the NDIS, will our funding packages be cut and will it be harder to get onto the NDIS? You will get the answers to these questions and more.

On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George speaks with NDIA General Manager Sam Bennett and NDIS guru Sam Paior about how to manage your NDIS funds efficiently, creatively and innovatively so you can get the best outcomes out of your plan. While we focus on self management, you don't need to self manage to benefit from this episode. It will be relevant to you if you are plan managed and even if you are agency managed and want to have more control over your supports. To learn more about self management you can visit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/self-management https://www.selfmanagerhub.org.au

Did you know that NDIS participants over all spend about 60% of our funding on unregistered providers. And this number is growing. On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George speaks with Prof Helen Dickinson from UNSW and NDIS participants and disability advocates Nick Avery and Jarrod Sandell-Hay about why more and more participants are turning to unregistered providers for NDIS support and how to stay safe.

On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Australia's leading podcast series on the NDIS, Dr George Taleporos is joined by Assistant Director of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce at the NDIA Bruce Graydon, the Director of Compliance and Worker Screening at the NDIS Commission Matt Barr and disability ally Peter Gregory. You will get some great tips on how to protect yourself from NDIS fraud and dodgy providers. Anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the NDIS fraud reporting and scams helpline on 1800 650 717, or email fraudreporting@ndis.gov.au To make a complaint about an NDIS provider or if you are unhappy with your NDIS provider and want to talk to someone about what you can do, contact the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544 or email contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au

On this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Australia's leading podcast series on the NDIS, Dr George Taleporos is joined by the new CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency Rebecca Falkingham about her key priorities , how she plans to rebuild trust and much more.

In this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Australia's leading podcast on the NDIS, Dr. George speaks with newly appointed NDIS Chair Kurt Fearnley. In this in-depth interview Fearnley reveals all about how he came to the role, his vision for the future of the NDIS and, with a bit of persuasion, he takes on some of your tricky questions

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 and Necessary, Dr. George speaks with NDIS Commissioner Tracy Mackey about what you can do if you are unhappy with your NDIS services, including how to deal with unregistered providers, and how you can make a complaint to the commissioner.

In this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George speaks with Megan Topping (La Trobe University PhD research student) and Carl Thompson (NDIS participant and director of support coordination provider 'Sort Your Support') about what NDIS participants really want from support workers.

In this episode of Reasonable and Necessary Dr George follows up with the newly elected Minister about what he’s learned about the NDIS since taking over, and what he’s going to do to rebuild it now that he’s in charge. Fixing the issue of people stuck in hospital, bringing forward the 10-year review and restructuring the appeals process are just a few of the topics they cover

In research by the Summer Foundation and La Trobe University, participants revealed that their relationship with the NDIA needs repairing – most had lost confidence and trust in the NDIA. Many recognised that they can’t opt out of this relationship, so with the appointment of a new government, many participants are optimistic that the time may be right for an honest dialogue between all parties about the future of the NDIS.

Dr George Taleporos speaks to a panel of disability advocates, where they examine the topics discussed in the previous episodes of the election series. They cover all things NDIS - funding cuts, operational issues, workforce, cost versus value and the damage of a ‘cost-first’ mentality.

Dr George Taleporos speaks to Shadow Minister for the NDIS, Bill Shorten in today’s episode of Reasonable & Necessary. Mr Shorten talks about his plans for the NDIS if he’s elected and how he plans to bring more people with disability into administering the NDIS, how they plan to make the NDIS more sustainable and how a Labor government plans to stop blanket cuts to participants’ plans.

Election 2022 and the NDIS: Interview with Senator Jordon Steele-John by Summer Foundation Ltd

In the first episode of our election special, Dr George Taleporos talks to the Hon Linda Reynolds, Minister for the NDIS. In this important conversation, Minister Reynolds talks through her priorities for the NDIS if re-elected, which include participant-centred reforms, extra funding and reducing wait times around housing and support decisions.

In this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, we meet NDIS participant Leila Bowheen who has been stuck in hospital for almost a year, waiting for housing and support. We also talk to Adam Horsburgh, CEO at the Austin Hospital for his take on the problem and how it can be solved This interview was recorded in April 2022. Part of the Reasonable and Necessary podcast series.

In this episode of Reasonable & Necessary, George is speaking with Therese Clark from Barwon Health to find out how people with disability (PWD) can access free rapid antigen tests (RAT) through the Victorian Government Disability Liaison Officer service.

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 episode of Reasonable & Necessary, George is speaking with NDIA CEO Martin Hoffman about what’s new in the NDIS for 2022. We talk about codesign, NDIS appeals, COVID-19 and much more. This interview was recorded on 14 February 2022.

In this final episode of the Reasonable and Necessary COVID-19 series, Dr George Taleporos speaks to Linda Hughes, UpSkill Lead and parent to a man who has complex needs. They go into detail about why it’s so important to make a plan for ‘COVID-normal’, and the most useful tools that will help you plan for the ‘what ifs’. This interview was recorded on 19 November 2021. The following websites were referenced in this episode: Hospital Passport https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/858362/3.-Julians-Key-Health-Passport-100gsm-LHC-staple.pdf A2D Admission to discharge http://a2d.healthcare Top 5 things for hospital staff to know http://a2d.healthcare/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/TOP-5_-Information.pdf Developmental Disability WA – My Hospital Passport https://ddwa.org.au/forms-to-help-you-prepare-for-an-emergency-hospital-visit/hospital-passport-march-2020/ Part of the Reasonable and Necessary podcast – Living with COVID series. For more episodes visit: https://www.summerfoundation.org.au/resources/reasonable-and-necessary-podcast-series/

Dr George Taleporos speaks to Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Dr. Ben Gauntlett about the human rights impact of the pandemic. This interview was recorded on 27 October 2021.

In this episode of Reasonable and Necessary, Dr George Taleporos gets vaccinated without leaving the house and then speaks to the Disability Liaison Officer, who can help people to get vaccinated. This interview was recorded on 19 November 2021.

Dr George Taleporos speaks to anti-violence and disability advocate Anj Barker about her experience of catching COVID and being forced into hospital. This interview was recorded on 8 November 2021.

Dr George Taleporos speaks to The Chair of Disability and Health, University of Melbourne, Professor Anne Kavanagh, about vaccination for people with with complex needs and tips to stay safe from COVID-19. This interview was recorded on 28 October 2021.

Dr George Taleporos speaks to Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd about rapid antigen testing in the disability sector, vaccination, when there is a substitute decision maker, and much more.

Special Series - Living with COVID Dr George Taleporos speaks to the acting NDIS Commissioner, Samantha Taylor about mandatory vaccination and the role of disability service providers in supporting us to stay safe through the pandemic. This interview was recorded on 3 November 2021.

Dr George Taleporos speaks to the Deputy CEO of the NDIA, Lisa Studdert about the role of the NDIS in supporting people through the pandemic. This interview was recorded on 3 November 2021. Part of the Reasonable and Necessary podcast – Living with COVID series. For more episodes visit: https://www.summerfoundation.org.au/resources/reasonable-and-necessary-podcast-series/

Dr George Taleporos speaks to NDIS Shadow Minister Bill Shorten on what it took to create the NDIS and where it may be heading.

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.

Reasonable & Necessary with Dr George - Interview with Senator Jordan Steele-John by Summer Foundation Ltd

Dr George Taleporos speaks to Minister Linda Reynolds on the future of the NDIS and the end of independent assessments.

Dr George Taleporos speaks to Martin Hoffman, NDIA CEO about Independent Assessments and Personalised Budgets

A conversation with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: Issues and challenges facing the SDA sector – with Graeme Head and Samantha Taylor