We’re asking six key questions for politicians ahead of the Federal Election: Will they listen?

With the federal election set for 3 May 2025, South Australian-based disability advocacy organisation JFA Purple Orange has written to all major political parties and federal members of parliament, calling for clear commitments on six key issues that impact the lives of people with disability.

 

The following six key questions were developed in consultation with people with disability and are grounded in human rights, inclusion, and social and economic participation:

1. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Do you commit to demonstrating leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by investing in strategies and initiatives across government; committing to ambitious employment targets for under-represented groups across the Australian public sector; and promoting the importance of DEI in the private sector? 

 

2. Employment: Do you commit to co-designing a national, staged, funded transition plan that would bring an end to segregated employment of people with disability within the term of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31; investing in employment support models that focus on individualised, tailored planning; and improving data collection about employment outcomes for people with disability?  
    
3. Housing: Will you commit to directly investing in accessible and affordable social housing that complies with the minimum accessibility standards set out in the updated National Construction Code 2022 Livable Housing Design (LHD) Standard; supporting implementation of the LHD Standard without unnecessary concessions throughout Australia (e.g. through monitoring, data collection, reporting and capacity building); and ceasing to fund group homes?

 

4. NDIS and Foundational Supports: Do you commit to prioritising the design, piloting and staged rollout of a new NDIS navigator program; prioritising and co-designing a well-funded system of Foundational Supports; and continuing existing funding arrangements for all services, programs, and supports for which the NDIS Review proposes replacement Foundational Supports until such options are fully established and working well? 
    
5. Violence against women and girls: Will you commit to investing in the co-design and implementation of a targeted, properly resourced, five-year Action Plan to address the prevalence of violence against women and children with disability?

 

6. Disability Support Pension: Do you commit to raising the rate of the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and updating DSP arrangements to eliminate barriers, disincentives, and penalties for people to earn more income from employment so they can afford the basics during a cost-of-living crisis?  

 

Belle Owen, Manager of Policy and Projects at JFA Purple Orange and a proud disabled woman, highlights the challenges she has personally faced when it comes to inaccessible housing – one of JFA Purple Orange’s six key questions for politicians.

“As a wheelchair user, when the house I was renting was put on the market, I knew I wouldn't find a place I could move into that was accessible to me without making changes. I have spent a year and a half navigating the challenges of getting funding approval, relying on support workers for the most basic tasks like using my oven or turning on taps and living through disruptive and stressful renovations just so I can take a shower or cook a roast on my own. All of this has taken time and energy that has impacted my relationships, my work life and my wellbeing. And it’s still not over.”

“Politicians need to understand that inaccessible housing isn't just an inconvenience — it strips away independence and dignity. We need real commitments from government decision-makers to directly invest in accessible and affordable housing now," she said.

Responses to all six questions from MPs, parties, and key independent candidates will be published on social media and shared with the wider community to support informed voting.

“This election is a critical moment,” said Tracey Wallace, Strategy Leader at JFA Purple Orange.

“We are asking all political leaders to be transparent with the disability community. People with disability deserve to know where their representatives stand. We will be publishing all responses – and highlighting those who do not respond - before election day.”

JFA Purple Orange is urging all political candidates to respond by 21 April ahead of the 3 May election.

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See which parties and independents have responded to our key asks and what they've committed to here