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) President) and I watched the tide of opinion around the NDIS reforms swell into something far greater than a debate. It became a tsunami. For hours, the message had rolled in like relentless waves: yes, we all agreed the NDIS needed to be sustainable, and yes, reform was necessary, but this Bill carried serious consequences and deserved proper consultation before it was forced through. Organisations had poured their concerns into submissions; then some spoke to the committee while others walked the corridors of Parliament House, knocking on doors, making calls, and fighting for change via any opportunity that raised its head.
Then a panel of four people with lived experience took the stage, and everything shifted. Their stories crashed over the room, turning those steady lapping waves into a forceful swell that struck ministers and audience alike with the raw truth of what it means to live with disability, or to care for someone who does.
And then came the tsunami.
Hannah Diviney took her place at the table and spoke with passion, humour, sarcasm, and gravity. With devastating clarity, she swept away the arguments for rushing the Bill through, exposing the potential consequences and placing responsibility squarely where it belonged: on the people prepared to pass this Bill at speed, unaware, or ignorant of, the damage it may cause.
In a room where visitors tiptoed in and out, where every voice was lowered to a whisper, we ignored the risk of being ushered out and clapped as loudly as we could. And in that moment, hope arrived. Because perhaps, just perhaps, consultation will come before the Bill is signed off.
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 with a post-event summary.
To read Day 3’s Agenda go to:
You can also watch the livestream/recording by going to:
NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Public Hearing
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 more than 75 metres from the store entrance and required customers to navigate a steep ramp to access the store, creating additional barriers for people with disability and those with mobility impairments.
PDA CEO Suzanne Gearing said she was not surprised by the concerns raised in the article, noting that she frequently encounters poor accessible parking layouts whilst out driving.
While she acknowledges that Bunnings is not alone in facing these issues, Suzanne said the example highlights how the needs of people with disability are too often treated as “an afterthought or a box-ticking exercise” rather than being considered from the outset.
You can read the full article:
Bunnings car park highlights problematic issue for millions – Yahoo News Australia
If you have a personal experience relating to disability parking or accessibility that you would like to share, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at team@pda.org.au.
Understanding the barriers you face and the issues that matter most to you helps us focus our advocacy and work on the priorities of our members and the broader disability community.
If you’re not already a PDA member, we encourage you to join for free by visiting:
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 – are too often excluded from the conversations and legislative decisions that directly affect their lives.
As Dinesh said, the person with disability must remain at the centre of the Scheme.
Listen to his powerful contribution to the hearing here:
Dinesh begins speaking at 2:38:13.
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:
Day 2 is scheduled for tomorrow at Parliament House in Canberra, and PDA’s CEO Suzanne Gearing and President Paul Williamson will be there, allowing us to provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of issues covered and what this means to you.
You can read Day 2’s Agenda by going to:
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 you? That is the heart of this latest disability update. Behind the policy language is a much more personal truth: for many people with physical disability, everyday life is still shaped by barriers that should not be there.
What the update is really saying
One of the most important ideas behind the Strategy is this: disability is not just about a person’s body. It is also about the barriers around them. And for many people, those barriers are everywhere — in housing, transport, support systems, and the way society responds. That is why this update matters. It reflects the gap between what inclusion should look like and what daily life can actually feel like.
What is getting better
There are some signs of progress, and that matters. Some people are finding it easier to access government buildings and other facilities. That might sound basic, but physical access changes everything. It can mean more independence, more confidence, and fewer exhausting workarounds just to get through the day.
There has also been a small improvement in self-advocacy among NDIS participants. In other words, more people feel able to speak up for themselves, ask for what they need, and have their voice heard. That is important, because no one should have to fight so hard just to be included.
There has also been a small lift in enjoyable activities for some NDIS participants. That may seem like a small thing on paper, but it is not small in real life. More choice, more connection, and more moments of joy all matter.
What is not improving fast enough
Housing is still one of the biggest pressure points. If you cannot find an accessible, affordable, secure place to live, everything else becomes harder. Work, study, rest, routines, and independence all depend on that foundation. Right now, the update suggests that too many people are still being left to wait.
Transport is another daily barrier. Even when a workplace, clinic, or community space is technically accessible, getting there can still be the hardest part. And when transport does not work, it is not just inconvenient. It limits freedom, opportunity, and participation.
The update also shows that social participation has gone backwards. That is a reminder that inclusion is about more than being able to enter a building. It is about being part of your community, your workplace, your friendships, and everyday life.
Safety is still a serious issue. Complaints about abuse and neglect in the NDIS have risen sharply, and that is deeply concerning. People with disability should not have to choose between support and safety. They deserve both, without compromise.
There are also signs that discrimination is not being handled well enough. When rights are ignored and complaints are not taken seriously, people are left carrying the burden. That should never be the expectation.
That matters because real inclusion is not just about access. It is also about being respected, protected, and backed by systems that actually work when you need them.
Why housing and transport matter so much
For many people with physical disability, housing is the foundation for everything else. If your home is not accessible, affordable, or secure, it becomes much harder to live independently. The update suggests Australia still has a long way to go in this area.
Transport matters just as much. Even if a workplace, clinic, or community venue is accessible, getting there can still be the hardest part. When transport does not work, people miss out on opportunities and everyday freedom.
Safety, rights, and respect
The update also highlights something deeper than access: safety and dignity. People with disability are still more likely to face violence, abuse, neglect, and discrimination than people without disability. That shows inclusion is not only about ramps and lifts. It is also about rights, respect, and systems that respond properly when something goes wrong.
The bottom line
So yes, there is progress here. But it is uneven, and for many people it will not feel fast enough. The real test is not whether change is happening somewhere. It is whether people with physical disability can actually feel that change in their homes, their travel, their safety, and their everyday lives.
Why this matters for people with physical disability
If you live with physical disability, none of this is abstract. These issues shape real days, real choices, and real opportunities. And that is exactly why this conversation matters. Access is not a bonus. Safety is not a bonus. Inclusion is not a bonus. They are part of living with dignity. This update is a reminder that progress is possible, but it also shows why people with disability must keep being heard, believed, and centred in every decision that affects their lives.
If this feels familiar, you are not alone. Your story matters, and it deserves to be heard.
If you want to share your experience of housing, transport, access, safety, or everyday life with physical disability, send your story to promotion@pda.org.au. If you have a photo that can also be used to explain your concern, please feel free to add that too.
If you would prefer your name to remain confidential, please let us know.
Real change starts when real voices are listened to.
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 better branding.
Read it. Share it.
If you rely on the NDIS – or care about what happens to it – this concerns you.
* 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 Parliament of Australia Community Affairs Committee page:
Public Hearings – Parliament of Australia
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:
OPPORTUNITY #1: Heywire (ages 16–22)
Sponsored by Australia’s Disability Strategy, Heywire is a national lived experience storytelling competition for young people in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Have a true story to share?
You can submit in:
Winners receive:
Free online workshops are available from April to August to help young people shape their story.
For more info or to enter: https://www.abc.net.au/heywire/competition
OPPORTUNITY #2: Trailblazers (ages 18–28)
For young leaders running impact projects in their regional communities, including social, environmental, educational, creative, STEM, inclusion, sport or economic initiatives, whether early stage or established.
Applicants can apply as an individual or as a group of up to three people.
Trailblazers receive:
Apply here: https://www.abc.net.au/heywire/trailblazers
For any questions or further information on either of these great opportunities, email abcheywire@abc.net.au
If you’d like to be involved, but could do with a hand to develop your story or work out what to say, we’d love to help you out.
Just email suzanne.gearing@pda.org.au or call us on 1800 732 674.
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 in to be involved in a random prize draw to win a $100 Prezzee gift card.
Participation is voluntary, and all responses will remain confidential.
This survey is for:
• Australians living with disability
By sharing your experiences, you’re helping us create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
To take part in PDA’s survey, head to:
Feel free to share the link with others.
1800 732 674
