On February 3, the Australian government officially released a new service model report called “Thriving Kids”, aimed at providing more timely and comprehensive early intervention support for children nationwide with autism or developmental delays and their families. This initiative is part of a major reform to Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Under the “Thriving Kids” service model, access to support will no longer rely solely on a formal medical diagnosis. The report emphasizes providing early intervention services based on each child’s specific needs and functional difficulties during critical developmental stages, rather than forcing parents to wait for costly and time-consuming diagnostic reports and risk missing the crucial treatment window.

Federal and state governments will jointly fund stronger foundational support systems in communities, kindergartens, and schools. The plan recommends simplifying the process for parents seeking help, allowing families to more quickly access speech therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling services. This means that even children not yet enrolled in the NDIS can receive professional developmental support in their everyday environments.

NDIS Minister Mark Butler stated that the reform aims to ensure “no child falls through the cracks of the system.” Autism advocacy groups have expressed cautious optimism, supporting the “needs-driven” approach while reminding the government that sufficient funding and professional staffing for foundational support are essential to avoid service gaps.

While One Nation as a political party has been gaining traction from the Australian public, its recent approach of releasing a video on 31st January 2026 about ‘spotting the Westerner’ has been publicly and socially condemned by many sides. 

The video was released by One Nation’s Victorian State Secretary Bianca Colecchia, who filmed strangers on the streets in Melbourne’s CBD and asked viewers to spot the Westerner in the same footage. She then further explained that the video is about demonstrating how multiculturalism is a failed concept, as ‘goodness in individuals can’t cancel cultural erosion brought by immigrants’, even going as far as to claiming westerners are now minorities due to new cultural populations from ‘non-culturally cohesive countries’. 

This video along with Colecchia’s statements have caused immense backlash. Liberal NSW Senator replies with how this is proof that One Nation is trying to divide Australians by damaging the core of Australia’s multiculturalism, while offering zero new solution to existing problems such as housing shortages that are incited by policy failures instead.  

Many others, namely Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly and Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria chief executive Farah Farouque, also rightfully call out that the video is a selectively edited act of provocative populism, by undermining important contributions from skilled migrants. They both agree that migration is the foundation of Australia’s success, and therefore sensible Australians will reject the notion.

National Party leader David Littleproud faced a leadership spill motion proposed by party MP Colin Boyce today. However, most observers believe he has enough support to survive the challenge and retain leadership.

The challenge stems from recent cracks between the Nationals and the Liberal Party. The Nationals withdrew from the coalition over the government’s handling of the Hate Speech Act, causing several shadow cabinet members to resign and creating a stalemate. Boyce advocated reuniting with the Liberals, warning that continued division could lead to loss of voter support.

The leadership position of Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley is also uncertain. Some party members wish to maintain stability without undermining her, while conservative supporters could challenge her in the coming weeks.

The Nationals are set to negotiate with Ley on whether to repair the coalition or allow the split to persist. Some Liberal MPs have drafted temporary shadow cabinet arrangements, potentially filling seats that have not rejoined the coalition in the short term.