Disability Rights Focus: Federal Election Forum
28 April 2025
On Wednesday 16 April 2025, People with Disability Australia (PWDA) held an online Federal Election Forum that brought together our members, the broader disability community and key political leaders to discuss the issues that matter most to people with disability.
Held just weeks before the Federal Election, the forum gave our community the opportunity to hear directly from political leaders, ask questions and press for commitments on the priorities identified in PWDA’s 2025 Federal Election Platform, a platform built by and for people with disability.
PWDA President Trinity Ford opened the forum by calling on all Australians to vote for disability rights this election.
During the forum, PWDA President Trinity Ford and Deputy CEO Megan Spindler-Smith presented our 2025 Election Platform and Community Activation Kit, officially launched earlier this month. The platform outlines seven key priorities for action:
“This agenda was built by our community. If we want disability rights to be a defining issue this election, we need all of you to act, to campaign, to vote,” said President Trinity Ford.
Minister for Social Services and the NDIS, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, addressed the forum to share Labor’s plans if returned to government. Her commitments included:
Minister Rishworth acknowledged ongoing concerns about inconsistent service delivery, planning delays and fears people will be exited from the NDIS without appropriate supports in place.
Senator Jordon Steele-John, representing the Australian Greens, thanked PWDA for our leadership in opposing the recent NDIS Reform Bill and outlined the Greens’ commitments:
Senator Steele-John emphasised that disability rights must be seen as human rights and embedded across all areas of government policy.
The forum’s Q&A segment, facilitated by PWDA Board Secretary and Member Engagement Advisory Co-Convenor Steph Travers, gave members the chance to raise the issues that will shape their vote.
Key themes included:
As the forum came to a close, Trinity Ford reminded attendees that our advocacy doesn’t end on election day.
“Together, we can make 2025 the year that disability rights became a political priority,” she said.
The full recording of the forum is now available online. You can access the full recording here.
Voting in the 2025 Federal Election takes place on Saturday 3 May. In the lead-up to the election, PWDA encourages all members and supporters to explore our:
These tools are designed to support you to take action, have your say and help shape a future where disability rights are front and centre in national policy.
Together, let’s make change happen.
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https://pwd.org.au/how-to-make-disability-rights-a-priority-federal-election-forum/