PEOPLE with Disability Australia (PWDA), the national cross-disability peak body and representative organisation, has launched its 2025 Federal Election Platform, urging all political parties and candidates to commit to real change for people with disability across Australia.
PWDA’s roadmap outlines key priorities to advance disability rights and ensure full economic and social inclusion of Australians with disability, including:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ensure disability representation in government: Create a Minister for Disability Inclusion in Federal Cabinet and establish a dedicated Department of Disability Equality and Inclusion.
- 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.
