Senator Lidia Thorpe has echoed the concerns of the First People’s Disability Network about NDIS legislation set to pass the House of Representatives today, after Labor and the Coalition reached an agreement that Thorpe has labelled a ‘dirty deal’.
Thorpe has confirmed she will be voting against the Bill when it reaches the Senate, citing concerns it will strip the NDIS of funding, reduce people’s access to services, and undermine the human rights of people with disabilities.
She has particular concerns about the impact the changes will have on incarcerated and formerly incarcerated participants, who, under the revised scheme, would face further discrimination and barriers to support.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
“Bill Shorten has blood on his hands for doing this dirty deal with the Coalition.”
“Labor and the Coalition have teamed up to characterise NDIS participants as fraudsters, criminals and sexual deviants. This gross dehumanisation is Shorten’s excuse to cut life-saving services that the whole community should be able to access. Any one of us could end up disabled at any point in our lives.”
“It’s a devastating blow to the community that undermines decades of progress on the rights of people with disabilities and will result in lives lost.”
“The First Nations Disability Network has outlined serious concerns about this legislation. But again it appears Labor are ignoring First Peoples, preferring to listen to the Coalition instead.”
“None of these decisions should be made by people who do not have disabilities.”
“The NDIS was already failing First Peoples, who have been denied basic levels of service. This Bill will only make things worse.”
“This country criminalises disabled people in mass numbers. You only need to look at the disproportionate rates of incarcerated people with disabilities to see this. Instead of getting the support they need, many people are getting a prison sentence.”
“This Bill will now make it even harder for people in contact with the criminal legal system to get access to the services they need. It will further criminalise and institutionalise people with disabilities, particularly First Peoples living with disabilities. It’s unjust and will damage our communities as a whole.”
“My thoughts are with all the people whose lives will be damaged by this, and who are feeling incredibly distressed right now. I stand with you.”