Blog

PDA’s CEO, Suzanne Gearing, attended yesterday’s Public Hearing in Canberra with PDA President, Paul Williamson. She shares her take on the day below: Yesterday, on a day that was as bleak as the future we are facing under the NDIS reforms, sitting in Parliament House meeting room S2.1, Paul Williamson (Physical Disability Australia Ltd (PDA)...

At yesterday’s Day 1 public hearing on the NDIS Amendment Bill, Physical Disability Australia Ambassador Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM spoke with both gratitude and conviction.   While acknowledging the life-changing support he has received through the NDIS, Dinesh also expressed concern that people with disability – the very people the Scheme exists to support –...

Written by Sarah McInnes – PDA’s Policy/Project Officer A plain-language look at why everyday access, safety, and inclusion still matter – and why your voice does too. What does progress mean if you still cannot get into your home easily, catch public transport with confidence, or feel safe in the support systems meant to protect...

PDA’s Policy/Projects Officer, Sarah McInnes, once again provides a summary of the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee hearing. You can read her shared highlights of Day 2 by going to: Day 2 Summary – Senate Inquiry into the NDIS Amendment Bill – 10 June 2026 With Day 3 in Canberra today, we will also provide you...

Today was Day 1 of the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee hearings and PDA’s Policy/Projects Officer, Sarah McInnes, kept on top of the key issues raised. You can read her shared highlights by going to: https://bit.ly/43SNicK Day 2 is scheduled for tomorrow at Parliament House in Canberra, and PDA’s CEO Suzanne Gearing and President Paul...

Public hearings for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 will take place: * Tuesday June 9 – Melbourne * Wednesday June 10 – Parliament House, Canberra * Thursday June 11 – Parliament House, Canberra   You can access the agendas, read submissions, and watch live broadcasts via...

The ABC’s 2027 Trailblazers program is now accepting applications. If you’re aged between 18 and 28 and already working on a social, educational, environmental or economic development project in your regional community (early-stage or established) this program is for you. The ABC has two great opportunities for young people in the regional Australia: the Heywire...

HELP US AND GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN A $100 PREZZEE GIFT CARD. We want to gain a better understanding of the experiences, needs, and perspectives of people with disabilities, and identify ways to improve accessibility and inclusion. As an incentive to take part in this survey, all respondents have the opportunity to opt...

Physical Disability Australia (PDA) has made a submission in response to the Senate Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.    This submission outlines our concerns around the proposed legislation, and urges the withdrawal of the Bill or substantial amendment stemming from genuine consultation and co-design...

Countries similar to Australia (including Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and South Africa), have national laws or constitutional protections in place that safeguard basic human rights and freedoms. Unfortunately these currently don’t exist in Australia. Whilst Queensland, Victoria and the ACT have their own human rights legislation, no consistent national protection exists to protect...

In a recently published Yahoo! News article, concerns about the accessibility of disability parking were highlighted at a Victorian Bunnings store. The issue was raised by a frustrated Bunnings customer, who drew attention to the lack of consideration given to the placement and suitability of designated disability parking spaces. The accessible parking bays were located...

The NDIS is being rewritten. We’re not being asked – we’re being told. Physical Disability Australia has reviewed the NDIS Amendment Bill 2026. What we found: tighter access, narrower definitions, repeated reassessments for lifelong conditions, and funding uncertainty for wheelchairs, home modifications, and the supports that keep us alive. This isn’t reform. It’s exclusion with...