Committed to addressing and championing the needs and concerns of its members, PDA wants to hear about issues that are impacting you now, in 2025.
We recently sent emails out to our members, asking for involvement in a short survey.
Feedback from this will help to provide guided direction in our discussions with government and help steer our focus on areas that matter to our community.
Please be assured that we respect your privacy and all responses collected will be held securely and will remain anonymous.
If you did not receive an email, and wish to take part in this survey, please email natasha.nobay@pda.org.au. An access link will then be forwarded on to you.
Thank you so much for taking the time to be involved in this survey and for helping PDA to best represent our members.
One thing that we’re very proud of here at PDA is our great community of members, supporters and partnerships.
We love it when people get involved in our events and activities, and help to grow our organisation by sharing what we’re doing and encouraging others to join as members.
With this being National Volunteers’ Week, we thought we’d take advantage of this very special week to invite you to join us and make PDA the best it can be.
You can do this by:
However you want to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.
An Easy Read version of this CEO Update is available at https://www.pda.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PDA-Member-Update-Easy-Read-Version-June-2025.docx
Hello Members,
For those of you who I have not yet had the pleasure to meet or speak with, I’d like to introduce myself.
My name is Jeremy Muir and I have been in the role of CEO of PDA for the past two months and, even though it has been a steep learning curve, I am getting my head around the activities that PDA has been and is currently involved in.
With that in mind, I want to provide an update on PDA and its current positioning in relation to issues affecting the lives of people living with a physical disability. After all, this is why PDA exists for you, our members.
PDA is recognised as a Disability Representative Organisation (DRO). We are a DRO that provides systemic advocacy for people with physical disabilities. PDA receives funding through the Department of Social Services and the National Disability Insurance Agency with a view to representing PDA and its members by participating in strategies and initiatives, including the reform agenda associated with disability services (for example, the National Disability Insurance Scheme reform and the National Disability Strategy).
Over the past 2 months, I have been to countless meetings with representatives from other DROs, carer organisations, the Department of Social Services, and the National Disability Insurance Agency, as well as meetings with PDA staff, PDA executives and the PDA board.
Meetings like the DRO Forum and the Disability Representative Carer Organisation Forum (DRCO) happen quarterly, last up to six hours, and involve discussions between DROs, DRCOs, and relevant departments.Issues are raised by the DROs and DRCOs for discussion with the department. The department then provides information and feedback on agenda reform, policy, and outcomes. These meetings allow DROs and DRCOs to address issues from member feedback. At the last DRCO Forum in February, the Honourable Minister Amanda Rishworth attended and gave her account of the current state of the NDIA and the NDIS. All the members who attended appreciated Minister Rishworth’s candour and there was a sense that Minister Rishworth honestly believes that the NDIS reform will create greater efficiencies, improve clarity around process and improve access for participants.
As part of the NDIS Reform, the NDIA has created Co-Design Working Groups that focus on various aspects of the NDIS. PDA represents its members in ‘Co-Design Strategies’. Alongside other DROs we participate in partnership with the NDIA staff in reviewing distinct functions of the NDIS.
When I came on board PDA was part of the ‘Assessment and Budgeting’ Co-Design Group and the ‘Self-Management Advisory Group’. I will not provide extensive details about these groups as the work is ongoing. Much remains to be done, and efforts will continue to amplify our voice. We have learned that a ‘co-design’ reset will occur, which will change the future proceedings of the Assessment and Budgeting working group.
PDA works in partnership with other DROs under the National Coordination Function (NCF) hosted by the Disability Advocacy Network Australia or, as it is better known, DANA. Being a part of this community provides PDA with the opportunity to collaborate on agreed strategies, supporting national initiatives and discussing issues and topics relevant to the wider disability community. The NCF members released a joint statement on budget night following the budget announcement.
Through this collaborative approach, PDA has endorsed a number of position statements released by other DROs that may will support a positive impact for you, our members. Two statements PDA recently endorsed are:
PDA has also endorsed and sponsored DANA’s election campaign, with this becoming more visible over the coming weeks in the lead up to the election. PDA has also endorsed the election campaigns developed by The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) and Every Australian Counts.
In case you missed it, I also wrote a blog about accessibility and polling locations.
When taking on the role of CEO, I thought it important to introduce myself to the current incumbent Minister’s responsible for the NDIS, The Hon Amanda Rishworth and Dr Anne Aly (Minister Assisting with the NDIS) by way of the Introduction Letter. This resulted in an incredibly positive meeting with Dr Aly’s office. With the upcoming election and depending in results, new letters of introduction may be needed to keep PDA on the radar of relevant Ministers.
With the election date now called, PDA wants to canvas you, our members, by way of a survey. This survey will ask you about topics and issues you feel are important and relevant for PDA to focus on throughout the next year or two. This survey will help us decide the best way PDA can represent you. Look out for the survey over the coming weeks.
PDA has also started the recruitment process for a Policy/Project Officer. Again, look out for the announcements about this role and, if you are interested, please consider applying.
In the fast-paced media world, I had the opportunity to provide comments on the discriminatory treatment of a 12-year-old boy living with cerebral palsy and his family by Qatar Airlines. ABC produced the story, highlighting the challenges met by individuals with disabilities, particularly those with physical impairments, during air travel. Further to this, PDA has released a media statement about air travel.
To keep up to date with what’s happening in Australia’s disability space, I encourage you to subscribe to PDA’s social media channels, (such as PDA’s Facebook Discussion Page) which will provide you with valuable disability-related information and allow you to provide us with feedback on issues of importance.
I also encourage you to check out PDA’s website’s blog page, which gives you access to excellent blogs written by PDA Board Members. If you have an idea for a blog that you think may interest the PDA membership, please feel free to contact Natasha Nobay (PDA’s Communications and Engagement Manager) to discuss – natasha.nobay@pda.org.au.
At the risk of writing too much, I will end this first version of the CEO update now. I will continue to provide you with updates throughout the year. If you have any questions or concerns, or you simply want to reach out and say “hi”, please do not hesitate to contact me – jeremy.muir@pda.org.au.
Together let’s make our voices heard.
Jeremy Muir – CEO Physical Disability Australia
Due to preparations for our upcoming online info session on recent changes to NDIS legislation, we have moved our popular Christmas Bingo Social Hour to Tuesday 17th December at 7pm AEDT.
7pm Melbourne/Hobart/Sydney/Canberra
6:30pm Adelaide
6pm Brisbane
5:30pm Darwin
4pm Perth
This gives you more than enough time to put together your festive outfit, buy or bake your Christmas fruit mince pies and chill your favourite Christmas tipple.
This Member Only event is FREE to join, will be great fun and as usual there are some incredible prizes up for grabs.
These include Prezzee gift cards, a copy of Dinesh Palipana’s “Stronger” (either in physical book form or audio) for the most festively dressed attendee, and a major prize valued at $200 for the final (of the 4) Bingo games.
But to join us YOU MUST BE A PDA MEMBER!
If you are not yet a member (and are an Australian living with physical disability or a friend, family member or carer of someone who does, or if you work in the disability sector) you can quickly and easily sign up for FREE MEMBERSHIP by clicking on the link in our bio or by going to pda.org.au/membership/.
Following registration for our Christmas Bingo event (and confirmation of your PDA Membership) you will be emailed through your recorded Bingo Cards.
To register go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc–qqjkjG903J2KoieI9ASVSig7b4mxr
Join us for a fun kickstart to the festive season!
You just might end up with some early presents under your Christmas tree.
It was wonderful to see so many faces join via Zoom and to help steer PDA into 2025 and beyond.
Following the AGM, the Board met to elect its Executive Team.
It is with great pleasure that we introduce:
Congratulations to these four incumbents.
We look forward to you leading Physical Disability Australia into a successful 2025.
On Thursday 5th December at 6:30pm AEDT, PDA members are invited to attend an information session to learn about changes to NDIS legislation.
Staff from the National Disability Insurance Agency will join PDA to talk about the NDIS legislation changes and answer your questions in a Q&A.
This community forum will provide an overview of changes that will impact participants, including:
Hear the facts from the NDIA, ask questions and clear up the confusion.
To register for this free event head across to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsf-uhrDsoEt0JUCZ8FtcjXUE7L8wAp7kh?os=ipad#/registration
A reminder to members that our AGM is being held this coming Saturday (23rd November):
1pm NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT
12:30pm SA
12pm QLD
11:30am NT
10am WA
Members have already been emailed PDA’s 2023-24 Annual Report, AGM Agenda and Board Nomination documents ahead of the Annual General Meeting.
If you are a member and have not received these documents, please email promotion@pda.org.au and the PDA Team will email them out to you.
If you have not yet registered to attend this meeting, you can still do so by going to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpf-2hrTwiGtehkc5T978MOBEmon6-EZDk
If you don’t have a Zoom account, signing up is free, quick and easy. Go to https://zoom.us/signup and create an account.
Please make sure to visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpf-2hrTwiGtehkc5T978MOBEmon6-EZDk once you have created a Zoom account to register for the AGM.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with login information to join Saturday’s meeting.
We look forward to having you join us at our AGM.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE POSITIONS OF:
On Saturday 23rd November PDA will be holding its 2024 Annual General Meeting.
At this year’s AGM, the Directorships of Mark Pietsch (NSW), Talia Spooner-Stewart (ACT), Sharon Boyce (QLD) and Paul Watson (NT) are reaching the end of their current 3 year terms.
There are also vacancies for the roles of Associate Director in both Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
Full members wishing to nominate for any of these roles need to complete and return the ‘Nomination Form’ by close of business on Friday 15th November.
Nomination Forms will be emailed to our members. If you are interested in nominating yourself or another PDA member for any of these positions, please use this form or email promotion@pda.org.au for a copy.
Similarly, if you wish to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf at the AGM, you need to complete and return the ‘Appointment of Proxy Form’ by the same date. This form has also been emailed out to PDA Members. If you do not receive this form and require a copy, please email promotion@pda.org.au.
All PDA members are encouraged to join us at our AGM via Zoom.
1pm NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT
12:30pm SA
12pm QLD
11:30am NT
10am WA
Hear what we’ve been up to in 2024, what our plans are moving forwards and be part of the Physical Disability Australia conversation.
With updates from PDA Ambassador, Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM, and the PDA Team, our Annual General Meeting will be a great chance for Members to be an active part of the PDA community.
Wherever you are in Australia, you can attend via Zoom.
All you need is a phone, laptop, tablet or computer.
But you will need to register by going to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpf-2hrTwiGtehkc5T978MOBEmon6-EZDk?os=ipad#/registration
If you don’t have a Zoom account, signing up is free, quick and easy. Go to https://zoom.us/signup and create an account. Once you’ve done this, head across to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpf-2hrTwiGtehkc5T978MOBEmon6-EZDk?os=ipad#/registration to register for the AGM.
If you experience problems, please email us at promotion@pda.org.au or call 1800 PDA ORG (1800 732 674).
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Meeting documents will be circulated ahead of the AGM.
We really look forward to you joining us and saying “hi”.
PDA Members are invited to attend our AGM on Saturday 23rd November 2024 via Zoom.
1pm NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT
12:30pm SA
12pm QLD
11:30am NT
10am WA
Join us to hear what we’ve been up to in 2024, what our plans are moving forwards and to be part of the Physical Disability Australia conversation.
With updates from the PDA Team, our Annual General Meeting will be a great chance for Members to be an active part of the PDA community.
We hope that you join us and look forward to welcoming you.
Wherever you are in Australia, you can attend via Zoom.
All you need is a phone, laptop, tablet or computer.
But you will need to register by going to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpf-2hrTwiGtehkc5T978MOBEmon6-EZDk
If you don’t have a Zoom account, signing up is free, quick and easy by going to www.zoom.us/signup
If you experience problems, please email us at promotion@pda.org.au or call 1800 PDA ORG (1800 732 674).
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Meeting documents will be circulated ahead of the AGM.
We really look forward to you joining us and saying “hi”.
These roles provide a great opportunity to become part of a hardworking, fun team that works for the benefit of all Australians living with physical disability.
So what’s involved?
We are looking for someone (preferably with lived experience of physical disability) who can:
If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of or you’d like to hear more, please email manager@pda.org.au.
We look forward to hearing from you.
1800 732 674
