27/02/2026
BREAKING UPDATE: The Human Rights Commission has decided to reclassify our complaint and has expedited it to March. We respectfully asked that they do so, in light of the consequences of this hearing and the report it has generated, for more than 120,000 Autistic children.
They considered our request, made yesterday, and today agreed to expedite our matter to next month.
We wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Commission, on behalf of ourselves, all Autistic women and girls who have the right to participate on an equal basis, and the many children whose futures hang on these reforms.
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MEDIA RELEASE
27 February 2026
AHRC Accepts Complaint Concerning Treatment of Autistic Women Advocates at Thriving Kids Inquiry
The Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association (ANPA) confirms that the Australian Human Rights Commission has accepted its complaint regarding equal participation in public life arising from the 17 November 2025 hearing of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs into the Thriving Kids reforms.
ANPA appeared as a recognised Disabled People’s Representative Organisation to give evidence on reforms reshaping early supports for Autistic children and children with developmental delay. Representatives appeared alongside Cheryl Koch and Alexandra Bignall from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network Australia and New Zealand, and Heidi La Paglia and Nicole Moran from the Regional Autistic Engagement Network.
Following the hearing, advocates from each organisation made public statements regarding their experience of differential treatment. ANPA understands that ASAN Australia and New Zealand has progressed a complaint to the Commission concerning the same hearing.
Prior to appearing, ANPA made written requests for participation adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act.
The complaint concerns the treatment of Autistic representatives and the standard of participation afforded during that parliamentary process.
Thriving Kids is a major national reform. The responsible Minister has publicly stated that the changes will affect at least 120,000 Autistic children. Given the public interest and the implications for young Autistic children, ANPA has requested expedited handling of the complaint.
“For decades, Autistic girls were under-recognised and overlooked,” said Sarah Langston, President of ANPA.
“National disability reform must prioritise meaningful and accessible participation from Disabled People’s Representative Organisations. Equal participation is a legal standard under the Disability Discrimination Act."
"Australia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including Article 4(3), which requires close consultation with and active involvement of Disabled People’s Representative Organisations in decision-making processes affecting them, provide interpretive context for that standard.”
“This action is about ensuring the law is followed,” Ms Langston said. “We will continue to insist on a stronger and safer future for Neurodivergent people, especially children and their Neurodivergent carers.”
NDIS Professionals Union - Professionals Australia today expressed their collective support for ANPA’s complaint and action, and have been working to support and amplify the work of Disabled People’s Representative Organisations engaging with the Thriving Kids reforms.
Carolyn Weatherby, Founding Delegate of NDIS Professionals Australia, said: “When Disabled women advocates appear as representatives of their organisations and as subject matter experts, they are working on behalf of their communities in the public interest. They are entitled to respect, reasonable adjustments, and equal participation in public life. Discrimination is never acceptable.”
“This week we have again seen how quickly women who speak plainly are described as ‘difficult’,” Ms Langston said.
“As we approach International Women's Day, we are reminded that it is those difficult women who stand together to get things done, often in tough conditions. Today we say: Democracy is for everyone. It includes Autistic women and girls.”
ANPA is represented by counsel Belinda Kochanowska, Principal Lawyer of Intrepidus Law, in the Commission process.
ANPA will continue to advocate for respectful, lawful and inclusive reform.
Media enquiries:
Alecia Bryan
Secretary
Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association
exec@thisisanpa.org
[Image Description: an image, left to right, of Principal Lawyer Belinda Kochanowska of Intrepidus Law, ANPA President Sarah Langston, and NDIS Professionals Australia Founding Delegate Carolyn Weatherby]
