Change urged on NDIS age discrimination
Currently, Australians who become disabled over the age of 65 find themselves ineligible for funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This unfortunate and unacceptable anomaly has come under severe criticism by many community and social service sector organisations over the years, which are now campaigning for critical change.
To add its support to this campaign, the Annerley Branch has recently adopted a resolution outlining that this ‘form of age discrimination is unacceptable and requires urgent remediation’.
The resolution, which has been conveyed to Federal Shadow Minister, Bill Shorten MP, calls for the adoption of several urgent measures, which include:
- repealing the 2013 amendment to the Age Discrimination Act that allowed the NDIS to legally exclude people over the age of 65 who become disabled;
- amending existing NDIS legislation to ensure all Australians are eligible, regardless of their age;
- implementing key recommendations from the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety; and
- conducting an independent and transparent review of the National Disability Strategy, if the Strategy fails to end age discrimination.
Disability advocacy groups have stated that they will target marginal seats across Australia in relation to the issue at the next federal election. The Annerley Branch will continue to publicly support this campaign to encourage Federal Labor to remove the age barrier.
End to battery cages welcomed
The Annerley Branch has applauded the Queensland Labor Government for supporting plans to phase out the use of battery wire cages in Australia’s poultry industry.
Voicing it support for the RSPCA campaign to introduce nationally consistent animal welfare standards that aim to end the use of these cruel cages, the Branch has written to the Queensland Agriculture Minister, Hon Mark Furner, regarding the issue.
Although the current plan looks at phasing out the cages by 2032, the Annerley Branch has voiced its support for these changes to be introduced ‘as soon as practicable’.
To date, only NSW has held out against supporting the national change.
Members get behind Christmas hamper appeal
Annerley Branch members have dug deep and donated food and money to this year’s annual Christmas hamper appea,l which is again being organised by southside community organisation, Micah Projects.
Every year, Micah Projects provide Christmas hampers for individuals and families who are marginalised and facing adversity and poverty across Brisbane. The challenges of living below the poverty line are often felt most over the Christmas period, as people try to pay bills and have money to celebrate with their families. Each hamper includes pantry staples as well as Christmas treats and fresh fruit.
For many years, the Annerley Branch has keenly supported this important initiative, by organising a collection of food items and money, with this year’s donation recently handed over to Annabelle from Micah Projects (pictured with Gabrielle Henry, Annerley Branch).
Annerley Labor 