Perfect Versus Possible: Kingdon's Multiple Streams Analysis, Politics and the NDIS

As the NDIS moves towards full rollout, it is timely to describe the nature of the policy framework and environment driving outcomes in order to better respond to commentary and learnings. To do this, this paper assesses Kingdon's Multiple Streams Approach as an explanatory model which will allow us to untangle the spaghetti of competing interests, issues and drivers of policy. Notwithstanding observed limitations, the paper finds that the potential for a policy window provides a powerful guide for actors to organise, as well as a mechanism for compromise. Further, the model suggests that key political drivers dominated the emergence and development of the NDIS and have thus shaped its current state.