The NDIS Bill has passed – You have not lost your community.

More than 4,500 submissions went to the Senate Inquiry. Six days of hearings were held.

Disabled people, families, advocates, clinicians, lawyers and human rights experts set out in detail what this Bill would do. The committee’s majority responded with one recommendation: pass it. Both major parties then did.

Australia has just legislated to remove around 240,000 people from the NDIS by 2031 and to divert a further 110,000 from ever getting in, in order to take $37.8 billion out of the disability support system. That is not sustainability. That is a transfer of cost from the Commonwealth Budget onto disabled people, our families and the people who work with us.

We want to be clear about what has been chosen here, because it will be remembered. This was not a decision made without information. The evidence was overwhelming; it was public, and it was disregarded.

We understand that there is a lot of anxiety surrounding the changes to the NDIA.

A lot of people are worried about their future and the security of their supports, and they are trying to understand what this legislation means for their lives.

The legislation has only just passed, and we do not have all of the answers.

Many important details about how the changes will operate in practice are still to come through rules, regulations and guidance from the NDIA. The changes will be introduced at different times, with implementation occurring progressively over the coming years.

As those answers emerge, we want our community to know what they can expect from us and how we are planning support our communities through this transition as safely as possible.

We will continue to advocate to federal and state government for our communities.
We will coordinate with our sector colleagues to create resources about what to expect from the new processes.
We will continue to facilitate peer and mutual aid spaces, where you can connect, support each other, and share your rage and grief and joy in community.

We also recognise that this is part of a larger, troubling shift towards austerity policies, and away from safeguarding the rights of our communities. We stand in solidarity with all marginalised communities including first nations people, people of colour, queer and transgender diverse communities, people experiencing incarceration and criminal action, and others whose right safety and participation are being eroded.

Our vision remains a world where Disability Justice and Disability Pride are embraced and celebrated by all, and we continue to work towards this goal.

Nothing about us, without us.

That didn’t stop being true because a Bill passed.

Peer led meetings

Over the next few weeks, we will be facilitating peer led spaces where together we can reflect, debrief, connect and support one another. You are welcome to join us to share your rage and grief and joy in community.

These are held on Mondays at 2pm: