THE ALP’s PLAN to “FIX” the NDIS VOWS TO CONTINUE AGE DISCRIMINATION

Age discrimination is unlawful in Australia – unless of course, you are the federal government and can change the legislation to suit your politics.

This is exactly what happened when the federal government introduced the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – they banned people 65 and over from the NDIS then amended the Aged Discrimination legislation to cover their tracks.

Most Australians would be shocked to know people who were 65 and over when the NDIS was implemented are excluded. Also excluded are people who become disabled after the age of 65. National Campaign Manager, David Margan said “The government has clearly decided to actively discriminate against people with disability entirely on the basis of age – it is unfair, unAustralian and needs to end.” “The recent announcement by the ALP to “defend and fix the NDIS” remains silent on a key issue for voters over 65 and their families.”

Spinal Life Australia commenced the Disability Doesn’t Discriminate campaign in 2021 to end age discrimination in the NDIS.
“Since we started, tens of thousands of Australians have joined the campaign – a move that triggers emails to their federal politicians.
The response to date has been frankly, appalling. Most politicians from the two major parties didn’t bother responding at all, while those who did respond dodged the issue.

This important policy announcement about the NDIS by the ALP raises some important aspects of the NDIS but disappointingly does not address the age discrimination inherent to the NDIS.

We have today written to the Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese and the Shadow Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten to ask them to come clean on whether they support age discrimination in the NDIS.

Mr Margan stated “ It’s only the Independent Members of Parliament, Zali Steggall (Warringah), Dr Helen Haines (Indi), Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo) and Andrew Wilkie (Clark) and the Australian Greens who have had the integrity to stand up and say “no” to this age discrimination and undertaken to prioritise this issue in the next Parliament.

Silence on this issue by the ALP despite releasing a plan to defend and fix the NDIS will continue the unfair and unjust age discrimination. It’s basically 65 and you‘re out!”

David Margan also said, “I call on all Australians to hold their federal member to account – ask them to end age discrimination in the NDIS by committing to adopting recommendation 72 iof the Age Care Royal Commission.”