Australia news LIVE: Gambling reform package passes House of Representatives; Sweeping NDIS cuts expected to become law this week

The Australian government's controversial National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) reforms have passed the Senate with the support of the Coalition. According to The Guardian Australia and The Guardian, 63 government amendments were introduced across both houses to secure the Coalition's backing for the changes, which aim to reduce spending on the scheme.

The bill is now due to be returned to the lower house. The government's changes have been met with criticism, with some describing them as stripping people of their rights, as reported by Crikey.

The health minister, Mark Butler, was quoted by The Guardian Australia and The Guardian as saying that the amendments were introduced to win the Coalition's support for the government's changes. The bill's passage in the Senate occurred on a Wednesday evening.

Brief written by urgent.news from Crikey, The Guardian Australia, The Guardian — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.