With nine days left until the federal election, Australia’s disability representative organisations have come together with solutions to relieve cost of living pressures on one in five voters – people with disability – who have so far been ignored in the campaign, leading to poor health impacts and other issues.
‘Cost of living is hitting people with disability particularly hard, and yet it has not featured in the campaign, so we have come up with our own solutions that are ready to be actioned on day one of the new government,’ said El Gibbs, CEO, Disability Advocacy Network Australia.
‘Disabled Australians face unique cost of living pressures. Our new National Blueprint for Economic Justice has been developed by and with people with disability and highlights income support, employment and housing as the key areas where disabled Australians are facing the biggest challenges.’
Enough is enough
Jenny Karavolos, Co-chair, Australian Autism Alliance said everyone deserves enough money to live with dignity and participate in society. But right now, income support systems trap people with disability in poverty and punish them for trying to work.
‘By redesigning the Disability Support Pension to reflect the real costs of disability and removing barriers to work, the next government can ensure all disabled people have the economic security needed to thrive,’ said Ms Karavolos.
The National Blueprint emphasises that economic barriers are the result of how systems have been designed to exclude people with disability, not inevitable consequences of disability.
Darryl Steff, CEO of Down Syndrome Australia, said every person should have the opportunity to use their skills and talents in meaningful work that pays fairly.
‘We are calling for the next government to implement the Disability Royal Commission recommendation to phase out sub-minimum wages and to set a 15 per cent disability employment target for the public sector. This will mean people with disability will finally have the chance to contribute our skills and build economic security,’ said Mr Steff.
Three critical areas
Disability organisations say the National Blueprint for Economic Justice presents clear, achievable actions for the next government to transform three critical areas:
- Income support that reflects the real costs of disability and supports independence.
- Employment systems that ensure equal pay for equal work and create genuine opportunities.
- Housing options that provide the foundation for economic security and community participation.
‘All Australians deserve a safe, affordable, accessible place to call home that connects us to our communities. But housing developers, landlords, and policymakers have created a market where accessible housing is scarce and unaffordable, forcing many disabled people to live with family members or in institutions against our wishes,’ said Jeremy Muir, CEO of Physical Disability Australia.
‘The next government can transform this situation by enforcing accessibility standards nationwide and creating financial incentives for accessible housing development, giving disabled people the foundation we need for economic security, said Mr Muir.
The Blueprint highlights how people with disability bring valuable perspectives and innovative problem-solving skills to workplaces and communities when barriers to participation are removed.
‘First Nations people with disability know exactly what we need for economic security, but decision-makers have designed systems that exclude us and ignore our expertise,’ said Tennille Lamb, Director of Strategy, Policy and International at First Peoples Disability Network.
‘Governments make choices about what to prioritise. Creating economic justice for people with disability is a choice the next government can and must make to fulfil our rights and strengthen our entire society,’ said Ms Lamb.
Disabled people must lead redesign
Catherine McAlpine, CEO of Inclusion Australia, emphasised that disabled people must lead the redesign of economic systems.
‘The disability community has enormous expertise in making economic systems fairer and getting them to work for everyone. This needs to include people with an intellectual disability, who bring unique perspectives in the workplace.
‘The next government must move towards the end of sub-minimum wages in a genuinely consultative way, while ensuring people with complex support needs are not left worse off. Government can lead the way by example through creating specific employment targets for people with intellectual disability within the public service,’ said Ms McAlpine.
The National Blueprint represents a watershed moment as disabled people demand economic justice ahead of the federal election.
Trinity Ford, President of People with Disability Australia said disabled people want the same things as everyone else – housing that meets their needs, a fair job and enough money to live safely and with dignity.
‘Right now, too many of us are locked out from these basics,’ said Ms Ford. ‘Our Blueprint shows what needs to change. We need the next government to act.’
