Jenny Karavolos

So the more pressure that is put on individuals and families, the more it impacts and we end up with that informal carer economy, which currently costs $79 billion.

$79 billion.

We've also worked out that if something happens to us by the age of, say, 70, although we would have provided for our son to have a home and to have an asset behind him, he would still need supports.

If he doesn't stay on his path and things break along the education to employment transition path, it'll cost government $16.5 million to sustain our son.

With the reforms, there has been consultation about the new framework planning.

In terms of the specific reforms that were called out, there hasn't been consultation, but that's been indicated by the Minister himself, indicating there's a lot to be done.

He had stated that specifically with Thriving Kids.

And there's still a lot to be done in terms of readiness.

And we strongly support being involved and being able to be part of the solution because it is our community with lived experience.

and the disability representative organisations and other support agencies that have that evidence-based research, evidence in practice, lived experience, so that we can focus on real solutions and make sure that we get it right.

It's significant.

Again, for autistic people in particular, but all people with disability, generalised supports don't work.

So it's been about individualised supports.

Already people are excluded, autistic people.

It's been demonstrated.

We had a Senate inquiry on autism and people are completely socially isolated, a significant portion because of their needs.

So when education systems break down and you're

at home, that means you don't get the social interaction.

When employment systems break down and you're not in meaningful employment to interact with others, again, your social network breaks down.

And then just having those supports to be part of the community are absolutely invaluable.