Ahead of International Day of People with Disability (Tuesday 3rd December 2024) Jordon Steele-John, Australian Greens Senator for WA has today announced a $200m package to support the leadership of disabled people across Australia.
The United Nations has announced the theme for International Day of People with Disability as “amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.” The Australian Greens plan will enable disabled people to lead at a local and Federal level.
The Greens have today announced:
- Establishment of a $5m Election Access Fund; to support disabled people to inclusively contest Federal Elections.
- A $150m grants program to fund Disability Pride Events across the country; to support community-led events that focus on inclusion, reclaiming disability identity and building a sense of pride.
- Sustainable resourcing for disability advocacy organisations; an additional $50m to enable organisations to support disabled people through the NDIS, health systems, legal systems and other areas of their lives.
Jordon Steele-John, Australia’s first physically disabled Senator:
“This year has been particularly rough for disabled people across Australia. We have seen the major parties join together to cut billions of dollars from our NDIS, there has been limited action on the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission and the cost of living crisis has been hitting hard with a lack of accessible and affordable housing options, no meaningful increase to the disability support pension, and high prices at the supermarket check-out, along with the rising cost of healthcare. Disabled people are doing it tough.”
“As the only proudly physically disabled person in the Federal Parliament, I see first hand that major party politicians simply do not understand what our disability community needs. The only way we’re going to get better outcomes is to get more disabled people elected to the Federal Parliament. We know that our political systems are inherently ableist, and there are additional cost barriers in the way of contesting an election. That’s why the Greens are committed to the establishment of a $5m Election Access Fund, similar to one the program that New Zealand Electoral Commission runs.“
“At a time where more disabled people than ever are bearing the brunt of inadequate government systems, disability advocacy organisations are operating with inadequate and unsustainable funding. This is leaving disabled people without adequate support. The Greens have announced an additional $50m for organisations who are supporting people with individual advocacy and lobbying for systemic advocacy.”
“So many of the events designed to bring together the disability community are funded by big-corporations who profit directly from disabled people. We deserve events that are community-led and truly build disability pride. That’s why I am proud that the Greens are committed to launching a $150m grants program to enable events to be run across the country that focus on inclusion, reclaiming disability identity and building a sense of pride. It’s through events like these that we can build leadership skills, have a good time, and build our power.”