Q+A: Season 2021, Episode 20

2021 - 20: Sydney Surge and Life on the Spectrum

This week, Hamish Macdonald returns to the Q+A host chair as we talk disability, autism, and the big stories of the week.

The NDIS is moving to a new model of eligibility testing called independent assessments which has spread fear and distress among Australians with disabilities. Is the original intent of the NDIS being undermined?

In politics, Barnaby Joyce returns as Deputy Prime Minister, after beating Michael McCormack in a National Party leadership spill.

A Ugandan athlete has tested COVID positive in Tokyo and been barred entry to Japan, in the first detected infection among athletes arriving for the Tokyo Games. Should we be holding the Olympics and Paralympics in the midst of this pandemic? The International Olympic Committee and Japanese government insist the Games can be held safely, but are the risks too great?

We'll also look at the latest NSW COVID cluster and the Prime Minister's trip to Cornwall.

Panellists: Jayden Evans, Love on the Spectrum participant and disability worker; Bill Bowtell, Adjunct Professor, UNSW and Strategic Health Policy Adviser; Marylouise McLaws, Epidemiologist; Nicole Rogerson, CEO of Autism Awareness Australia; Hollie Hughes, Liberal Senator for NSW; and Andrew Leigh, Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury and Charities.