TOWN HALL PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON DISABILITY IN THE ACT ELECTION
A town hall style virtual forum with a twist will spotlight disability as an issue in the coming ACT election from 12 noon-2.00 pm next Thursday 26th September.
Helmed by ABC Mornings presenter Georgia Stynes, the forum, organised by local groups representing people with a range of disabilities, will flag priorities from disability groups but will also hear from people with disability on the ground.
The forum will discuss areas like health, housing, urban planning and transport and education while also putting a spotlight on the governments responses to the Disability Royal Commission and its growing responsibilities as it designs a new foundational support system to respond to gaps and shortcomings in the NDIS.
It comes on top of the release of a shared election platform released by Issued by ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability, Women with Disabilities ACT, Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and Advocacy for Inclusion.
It is expected the forum will also invite responses from candidates including the Minister and Shadow Ministers from ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals, candidates from the Greens, the Independents for Canberra, the Fiona Carrick Group and the Peter Strong Independents.
AFI Head of Policy Craig Wallace said “the next Assembly will have key responsibilities and choices in disability reform as a whole of government issue and at the local level so we need the voices of people with disability to be heard.
“The forum next week is about the priorities the next Assembly has for the 80,000 people who have a disability but also the priorities that disabled voters have for them. In a twist on the stock standard debate format we’re inviting people with disability to tell us what would it mean in their everyday lives if the politicians came through and their promises were actually delivered?
“Only about 10,000 Canberrans are part of NDIS which means many voters are vitally interested in how the Territory supports people with disability in everything from housing to justice to schools. We’re also building a whole new support system and facing major shortfalls in advocacy”, Mr Wallace concluded.
WHEN: Thursday 12 noon, 26 September 2024
WHAT: ACT Election 2024 – Disability Town Hall Event
- Hear about disability priorities for the next ACT Legislative Assembly
- Listen to Canberra voters with disability speaking about what delivery means on the ground
- Hear from candidates with their reactions, plans and ideas
WHO: Our Host is well known ABC Canberra Mornings Presenter Georgia Stynes. You can read more about Georgia here:
https://www.abc.net.au/radio/people/georgia-stynes-local-radio/8306526
WHERE: The forum is online. Join here:
Media Contacts
Craig Wallace, Head of Policy on 0477 200 755.
Authorised by Craig Wallace for Advocacy for Inclusion