PWDA Strengthens Disability Representation in Canberra
August 2025
In late August, Acting CEO Megan Spindler-Smith and PWDA President Trinity Ford spent a week in Canberra engaging with MPs, Ministers, and sector leaders. The visit delivered powerful outcomes, reinforcing PWDA’s role as a trusted national Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO).
Key Political Engagements
At the ACOSS Community Sector Parliamentary Event, PWDA connected with MPs Susan Templeman and Carol Berry, both of whom committed to championing disability representation. Templeman pledged to support PWDA’s priorities in parliament, while Berry expressed interest in shaping more positive disability policy conversations.
PWDA also secured strong backing from Senator Jordon Steele-John, confirming his ongoing support for foundational supports, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), and reforms to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
Recognition from Government
A significant meeting with the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Access and Inclusion team highlighted PWDA’s collaborative approach and solutions-focused leadership. The Department acknowledged PWDA as a trusted leader within the Disability Representative Organisation (DRO) space.
Importantly, PWDA was one of the first non-Mental Health DROs to meet with Minister Butler. In this meeting, PWDA provided direct advice on disability policy, including foundational supports and the Thriving Kids agenda, and was recognised as a trusted partner in co-design.
Expanding Sector Collaboration
PWDA joined discussions led by the Brotherhood of St Laurence alongside Minister Tanya Plibersek, DSS leadership, and leading researchers – a vital step towards advancing work on disability, poverty, and stigma. Engagements with Senator David Pocock’s team and Monique Ryan MP also reinforced the importance of collaborative advocacy and will lead to future roundtables on foundational supports.
Why It Matters
These meetings strengthened PWDA’s influence and expanded our alliances across politics and community sectors. Most importantly, they ensure that the voices of people with disability continue to shape the national agenda. Our advocacy demonstrates that “nothing about us without us” remains at the core of reform.