The upcoming Federal Election is a significant opportunity for all Australians, especially people with disability, to ensure their voices are heard. At AFDO, we advocate for an inclusive and equitable Australia, and your vote can shape the future of disability rights and inclusion across the country. We encourage everyone to actively participate in the election process.
Why Your Vote Matters
People with disability are entitled to equal participation in all aspects of Australian life. This election is a chance to advocate for improvements that align with the Fair Australia Charter – a commitment to a disability-inclusive and equitable Australia by 2031. Your vote can ensure that disability inclusion and accessibility are prioritised across government policies and community practices.
The Fair Australia Charter calls for:
- Government leadership on inclusion and equity, including the establishment of a Department of Disability, Equality, and Inclusion with a Cabinet-level Minister. This department should commit to implementing recommendation 5.6 from the Disability Royal Commission and foster best practices in co-design and consultation.
- Annual reporting on disability inclusion metrics, including employment rates, education outcomes, and public accessibility, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Inclusive public sector employment, with a target of at least 15% of employees identifying as people with disability, and adherence to universal design in public buildings and accessible digital services.
- A disability procurement policy, mandating accessibility and diversity in all government contracts.
The Charter also calls for empowering the voices of people with disability through equitable funding for Disability Representative Organisations (DROs), co-designed disability policies, and supporting inclusive communities with sustainable foundational supports.
Learn more about the Fair Australia Campaign at the Fair Australia website.
Key Dates
- Start of early voting: Tuesday 22 April
- Close of postal vote applications: Wednesday 30 April
- Election Day: Saturday 3 May
Know Your Local MP or Candidate
It’s crucial to understand where your local MP or candidate stands on disability issues. Knowing their position helps you make an informed decision when voting.
- Find Your Local MP or Candidate: Use the Australian Parliament website to identify your representative.
- Compare Views: Use Vote Compass – ABC to see how your views align with those of the candidates.
Accessible Voting Support
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) provides a range of accessible voting options to support people with disability. These include multilingual services, assistance at polling places, and alternative voting methods.
For more information on accessible voting, visit the AEC’s assistance page.
Making Your Voice Heard
Advocating for your rights as a voter can make a difference. Engage with your local MP or candidate to discuss key disability issues. Here are some important questions you can ask:
- How will you ensure that people with disability are actively involved in shaping policies that affect their lives?
- What will you do to protect the right of people with disability to choose their own supports and providers?
- How will you address barriers that prevent people with disability from fully participating in the community?
- How will you improve access to inclusive education and employment opportunities for people with disability?
- What are your plans to ensure that disability services and supports are equitable and responsive to individual needs?
- How will you advocate for older people with disability, particularly those who need continued support after the age of 65?
- What measures will you support to make public services, transport, and infrastructure more accessible?
- How will you ensure that assessments and eligibility processes are fair, transparent, and respect the dignity of people with disability?
Sample Social Media Post
🚨 The Federal Election is coming up! Your vote can help shape the future of the NDIS and disability rights in Australia. Make your voice heard and support a disability-inclusive future. Visit AFDO’s website to learn more about the Fair Australia Charter and how you can get involved: https://fairaustralia.au
#FairAustralia #ProtectOurNDIS #DisabilityRights
Tag key leaders and organisations: @AmandaRishworth @AustralianAutismAlliance @FairAustralia @MichaelSukkarMP @JordonSteeleJohn @AlboMP
Alt Text: Graphic with the Fair Australia logo, text reading ‘I Stand with Fair Australia: Vote for a Disability-Inclusive Future’, a hand placing a ballot with a wheelchair symbol into a box, and logos for AFDO and the Australian Autism Alliance.
Share this