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PWDA Launches Election Platform to Secure Progress for People with Disability

People with Disability Australia

People with Disability Australia (PWDA), the national cross-disability peak body and representative organisation, has today launched its 2025 Federal Election Platform, urging all political parties and candidates to commit to real change for people with disability across Australia.

With over 5.5 million Australians identifying as having disability and millions more allies, the disability community is a powerful voting bloc that deserves real action, not just empty promises. PWDA’s roadmap outlines 7 key priorities to advance disability rights and ensure full economic and social inclusion of Australians with disability.

1. Invest in the NDIS: Guarantee long-term, sustainable funding, ensure participant control over our supports and prevent cost-cutting that restricts access to essential supports.
2. Fund Nationally Consistent Foundational Supports: Ensure disability supports outside the NDIS are consistently available and delivered. These supports are essential not optional for the 5.5 million Australians with disability, including the nearly 5 million who aren’t on the NDIS.
3. Raise the Rate: Increase income support payments, including the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and JobSeeker, to above the poverty line so people with disability can afford the cost of living and achieve financial security. Increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance to cover the real cost of accessible housing.
4. Make Housing Accessible: Mandate the “Livable Housing Design Silver Standard” in the National Construction Code across all states and territories and commit to a national housing plan that meets the needs of people with disability.
5. Ensure Disability Representation in Government: Create a Minister for Disability Inclusion in Federal Cabinet and establish a dedicated Department of Disability Equality and Inclusion.
6. Protect Our Human Rights: Strengthen disability rights through a Human Rights Act and improvements to the Disability Discrimination Act. Fully fund individual and systemic advocacy services so people with disability can protect and enforce their rights.
7. Support Diversity in the Public Sector: Increase employment of people with disability and safeguard diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in federal public sector workplaces.

The launch of PWDA’s Election Platform was built on the voices of PWDA’s national membership and the wider disability community and responds to the persistent systemic failures exposed by the Disability Royal Commission. PWDA is calling on all parties and candidates to commit to the platform’s practical solutions that will deliver real and lasting change.

“People with disability along with our friends, families and allies are a powerful voting bloc, but too often our voices are ignored. This election, we demand better. All candidates and parties must make explicit commitments to protect our rights and progress our full inclusion. We know what works. It’s time for a government that listens to people with disability and acts on our solutions,” said Megan Spindler-Smith, Deputy CEO of PWDA.

“Every part of our roadmap is about progress and inclusion. We need a Minister for Disability Inclusion, a Human Rights Act that enshrines our protections, and employment targets that ensure our community is represented in the public sector. It’s time for political leaders to step up and ensure our representation and rights are prioritised, not just talked about.”

“Investing in the NDIS and new foundational supports outside the Scheme is non-negotiable. Without them, millions of Australians with disability are left without the resources they need to participate fully in our communities and contribute to our economy. Political leaders must guarantee long-term funding and commit to strengthening these supports with us and for us,” said Trinity Ford, President of PWDA.

“Affordable, accessible housing and real economic security are basic human rights, but right now they are out of reach for too many Australians with disability. The solutions are clear - raise income support above the poverty line and make accessible housing the standard and increase supply. We can’t afford to wait,” said Steph Travers, PWDA Board Director.

ENDS

Available for interview:

• Trinity Ford, PWDA President
• Steph Travers, PWDA Board Director
• Megan Spindler-Smith, PWDA Deputy CEO

About us:

ABOUT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AUSTRALIA

People with Disability Australia Incorporated (PWDA) is a national disability rights and advocacy, non-profit, non-government organisation. We have a cross-disability focus, representing the interests of people with all kinds of disability and our membership is made up of people with disability and organisations mainly constituted by people with disability.

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https://pwd.org.au/

Contact details:

PWDA Media and Communications

[email protected]

0491 034 479