At least 160,000 to be cut from NDIS amid concerns vulnerable people will be left without care

The Guardian reports that Australia's Albanese government will remove at least 160,000 people from the National Disability Insurance Scheme by 2030, with Health Minister Mark Butler announcing eligibility changes aimed at capping the scheme's annual growth at 2% and reducing projected spending from $70bn to $55bn. The reporting is well-sourced with named government officials (Butler, Shorten), disability advocates (Taleporos), opposition figures (Waters, McIntosh), and state representatives, providing specific figures (current 760,000 participants, projected 600,000 by 2030) and context about the scheme's 10.3% cost growth last year. Multiple outlets (ABC News, Sydney Morning Herald) corroborate the core figures and announcement details, with additional reporting noting the government's stated justification that the scheme was designed for 410,000 but now supports 760,000 people. Critical readers should monitor the May budget details, state-territory negotiations (Queensland and others have already flagged cost-shifting concerns), and implementation of the unannounced eligibility changes, as well as whether alternative support mechanisms materialize for those removed—a gap flagged by both opposition and disability advocates but not yet detailed by the government.