FPDN News and Updates

Listen   DRO Joint Statement on Lateral Violence in the Disability Community We are Australia’s Disability Representative Organisations, and our job is to protect and support the rights of people with disabilities. We are also Australians with disabilities. Right now, our community is going through a tough time. Some people with disabilities are taking out their anger and frustration on others in the community. We say this kind of behaviour has no place here. We

Listen  MEDIA STATEMENT: Advocates urge Senators to vote no on the government’s proposed NDIS Amendment Bill 2024 Tuesday, 20 August 2024 First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) joins other disability representative organisations calling on members of the Senate to VOTE NO on the government’s proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024. “Ultimately, FPDN is a human rights-based disability representative organisation. We have a moral obligation to let

Listen  First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) calls for Minister Shorten and the Albanese Government to reject amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 proposed by the Liberal National Party (LNP)[1] that unduly institutionalise, criminalise and restrict choice, agency and control of people with disability, their carers, family members and children. The proposed LNP amendment seeks to restrict the ability of NDIS participants or their

Listen  FPDN Policy Explainer   We welcome The National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024 (No. 2) with the requirement for regular review but suggest the government adopt our recommendations within our Submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee. The main aim of the bill is to create a requirement in law for the government to create a Housing and Homelessness Plan with regular review. LEARN MORE  Policy Submissions Key Issues First Nations people are

Listen    As the National Peak Body for First Peoples with disability, The First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) is profoundly disappointed by the Australian Government’s failure to fully commit to the change needed to significantly reduce the violence, abuse and exploitation of people with disability. The Disability Royal Commission heard from almost 10,000 people with disability, their family and supporters, kin, advocates and representative organisations about how many of people have been hurt and harmed

Listen   Government response to violence against people with disability deeply disappointing *List of spokespeople available for media interviews across Australia today is below* Today’s Federal, State and Territory government response to our four-and-a-half-year Disability Royal Commission is deeply disappointing and fails to respond to the scale of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. National disability representative organisations have expressed significant concern that only 13 recommendations of 222 have been fully accepted,

ListenJOINT MEDIA STATEMENT: Condemning the state sanctioned abuse and mass incarceration of First Nations children with disability Thursday, 25 July 2024 This month horrific footage has emerged of the abuse of a First Nations child with intellectual disability, who was incarcerated in a Queensland adult watch house and suffered extreme distress and physical injury when custodial officers forced them into solitary confinement. The First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN), National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal

Listen  The legacy of Wotjobaluk sporting pioneer Uncle Kevin Coombs is not one to be forgotten as Australia’s Paralympians journey to the streets of Paris for the 2024 Games. Wotjobaluk man, Uncle Kevin Coombs has an indelible legacy, competing in five paralympics games but sadly on October, 2023 Uncle Kevin passed away at the age of 82. Governor-General Sam Mostyn, acknowledging NAIDOC week, paid her respects to the life of Uncle Kevin Coombs and the

Listen   This statement is endorsed by: First Peoples Disability Network People with Disability Australia Women with Disabilities Australia Touching Base Children and Young People with Disability Australia Down Syndrome Australia Disability Advocacy Network Australia Community Mental Health Australia National Ethnic Disability Alliance Australian Autism Alliance The Joint Statement: Ten organisations, including First Peoples Disability Network, People with Disability Australia (PWDA), Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) and Touching Base, have signed this joint statement to

Listen  Firstly, I apologise for not being present today at the Forum, but I have come down with the flu. I would like to acknowledge country and also acknowledge family members and advocates and activists who continue to speak up about this critical issue. The First Peoples Disability Network is the national representative organisation for First Nations people with disability and their families.  We are a unique organisation in that we are owned and operated

Listen  I represent The First Peoples Disability Network (Australia) a national organisation, representing Australia’s Indigenous people with disabilities. Indigenous people with disability across the globe are at the frontline of the devastating effects of climate change.  In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability have in recent years experienced the damaging impact of floods and bushfires.  The impact has been so devastating that it has resulted in whole communities having to move away

Listen JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Monday 11 March 2024 Multiple government sources have indicated off the record that a proposal to introduce punitive law and order measures – including changes to bail laws that will result in more children going to jail – may be considered as early as this week. “Changes to bail laws that lock more children up is a short-term political stunt that won’t fix a thing on the ground in communities,” Karly

Listen  The Productivity Commission has publicly released its review on Government progress under the National Closing the Gap Agreement (the Review). FPDN welcomes the thoroughness of the Productivity Commission’s research and investigations. FPDN would like to thank the Presiding Commissioners, Natalie Siegel-Brown and Romlie Mokak, for their commitment to truth-telling and elevating First Nations perspectives. The Review has observed that state and federal governments are not fully honouring the many commitments that were made to

Listen  Today, Minister Bill Shorten handed down a 329-page report into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Review (NDIS) which made 26 recommendations and 139 “supporting actions” which are to be implemented over a five-year period.  At the heart of The Report is a strong emphasis on establishing “foundational supports” for people with disability who are not yet on the scheme and a commitment to ensuring the NDIS is much more inclusive.  FPDN CEO, Damian Griffis

Listen  With the release of the final report following the independent review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, people with disability, families, supporters, and disability representative organisations, disabled peoples’ organisations and disability advocacy organisations have united in calling on all levels of government to take action to deliver equitable, fair, just and sufficient support for all people with disability. The NDIS delivers lifesaving and life changing supports for over 600,000 people with disability across Australia.

Listen What is the review? The review will look at how the National Disability Insurance Scheme can do better The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review looked at the design, operations and sustainability of the NDIS. It will also look at ways to make the market and workforce more responsive, supportive and sustainable. FPDN believes the NDIS can do better and welcomes the review FPDN has always advocated for a more inclusive NDIS. FPDN has

Listen A delicious salad that is sweet and sour and spicy, the best thing about this recipe is that its totally healthy and packed with heaps of super foods that will keep you feeling good through the day. EQUIPMENT 1 Mixing Bowls 1 Pan 1 Tongs 1 Table Spoon 1 sharp knife INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp olive oil 100 grams diced sweet potato 100 grams diced pumkin 2 fillets kangaroo rump 50 grams sliced onion 250

Listen   We have compiled a list of First Nations organisations that you can donate to which support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children across a range of issues.  Bubup Wilam  Bubup Wilam, meaning “Children’s Place” in Woi Wurrung language, is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Education, Health and Wellbeing organisation. Bubup Wilam is a safe place for our children and families and is a community gathering place where everyone can come and be together. The

Listen  Spicy Kangaroo with a Super Food Salad A delicious salad that is sweet and sour and spicy, the best thing about this recipe is that its totally healthy and packed with heaps of super foods that will keep you feeling good through the day. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 minutes minsCook Time 12 minutes mins Cuisine Bushfood, First Nations Servings 2 peopleCalories 80 kcal Equipment1 Mixing Bowls1 Pan1 Tongs1 Table Spoon1 sharp

Listen By Kiara Davies Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Islander People are warned that the following article contains text, images and video of First Peoples who have died.  It’s been less than three weeks since the Australian public rejected our voice. It has been less than three weeks since this country rejected to acknowledge the 60,000 years of history. And in the time since this country rejected us, we are reminded of how the racism in

Listen  Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee. My name is Damian Griffis, I am a descendant of the Worimi people of the Wallamba Valley in NSW and the CEO of the First Peoples Disability Network, a position I have held for the past 20 years.  I am joined by Dr Talia Avrahamzon, Strategic Partnerships, Policy and Impact Manager. The First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) is the national peak organisation of and

Listen By Kiara Davies Today marks the anniversary of The Racial Discrimination Act 1975. It is important to understand your rights under this act and how discrimination causes harm on an intersectional framework. Breaking down the meaning of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 Discrimination: Discrimination is when someone or a group of people are treated unfairly due to a factor that makes them different. Racial: In the act the term racial refers to somebody’s race,

Listen     22 October 2023 To the Prime Minister and every Member of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Commonwealth Parliament This is an open letter which will be circulated to the Australian public and media. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have observed a week of silence across Australia since the outcome of the Referendum last Saturday 14 October 2023. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags have flown half-mast and

ListenWe write this letter to people across Australia. We are your neighbours, friends, family and colleagues. We represent more than 20% of the population and together as a disability community, we unite in support of a First Nations Voice to Parliament. We believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples know their communities best and can guide the answers that will enable us to celebrate and assure the continuation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Listen UNSW Sydney will launch a new centre to improve health outcomes for people with intellectual disability ensuring better access to quality, timely, and comprehensive care. The Centre is a response to the significant health disadvantage experienced by people with intellectual disability.   Led by UNSW Professor Julian Trollor from the School of Clinical Medicine, the Centre will support delivery of the Australian Government’s National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability. “It’s time to turn our

ListenThe release of the final report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is a huge landmark for the disability community in Australia. It’s the start of our journey to an inclusive future. Today, however, we choose to hold space for our community’s trauma and grief, in the spirit of healing and restorative justice. Since 2019, the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) has held 32 public hearings with evidence

ListenThe watch house amendments, rushed through last Thursday with no oversight from an independent parliamentary committee, show blatant disregard for several international laws and will have swift and severe detrimental impacts for children, particularly First Nations children. Queensland’s new watch house laws categorically violate children’s rights and further exacerbate the human rights emergency in Queensland’s already broken youth justice system that disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Although around 8% of 10-17 year

ListenBy Darcy Hytt Happy NAIDOC Week, you mob! At FPDN, we celebrate the diversity of First Nations cultures and histories every day. We are working towards a just and equal future for First Peoples with disability. Our work centres principles of respect, empowerment, inclusion, and access. This NAIDOC Week, we would like to pay our respects to our d/Deaf and disabled community members. We acknowledge community members past and present, including our Elders and Ancestors.

ListenToday,  Ms Kay Sadler, the Chairperson of First Peoples Disability Network Australia submitted an Intervention to Conference on the Conference of Governments on the Conventions of the Rights of Disabled People (CRD). The focus of the intervention is a request to establish a formal mechanism for Indigenous people with disabilities through CRD. “A formal mechanism for Indigenous peoples with disabilities will shine a spotlight on the intersectional issues our communities face, who are often the

ListenFood security is a critical issue for many First Peoples with disabilities in Australia. These individuals face significant barriers to accessing healthy and nutritious food, which can have serious consequences for their health and well-being. According to a report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, First Peoples with disabilities are more likely to experience food insecurity than the general population. This is due to a range of factors, including poverty, limited access to transportation, and

ListenAccessibility is also fundamental to the principles of equal rights and social inclusion. It ensures that people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor disabilities, can access and navigate websites, web applications, and other online content. Web accessibility is not just important for people with disabilities. It can also benefit older people with age-related impairments, people with temporary injuries, or people using older devices. Moreover, making a website accessible can

Listen By Luke Briscoe, FPDN Staff member Today the nation stops to pay tribute to the ANZACs but for some Indigenous Australians we also pay tribute to the Forgotten ANZACs who returned to a nation that rejected them and their efforts.  Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Voice to Parliament would give our Indigenous ANZACs real recognition and respect they deserve.  FPDN acknowledges all our people who fought for their Country

Listen A former North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans player has been named the winner of the First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) National Footprint art project competition. Dharrpa Warra and Thitharr Warra Man Brenton Bowen from the Guugu Yimithirr speaking people of Hope Vale won the prize for his artwork titled ‘safe journey’. Brenton’s artist name ‘Thamal-Dilmbu’ means ‘footprints’ in his Guugu Yimithirr language. FPDN’s National Footprint project was designed to strengthen the representation

ListenThere is so much happening at FPDN right now as we work towards that goal that we wanted to update you on some of it. SUPPORT OUR WORK First Nations Advisory Council to the NDIA formed FPDN has entered into a partnership with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to co-design a new NDIS First Nations Strategy and action plan. FPDN CEO Damian Griffis said this partnership will integrate our long-standing grassroots knowledge and advocacy

ListenThe first ever podcast dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with disabilities will be released this Thursday 16 March, on Closing the Gap Day. Created by the First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN), “Yarning Disability” is hosted by FPDN Advocate and experienced radio host, Bernard Namok, a proud St Paul, Badu, and Erub Torres Strait Islander man with his own lived experiences with disability. Each episode of Yarning Disability will showcase the story

ListenWith the public hearing commencing in Perth (Boorloo) today, First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) CEO Mr Damian Griffis has again called on the Royal Commission to establish a dedicated hearing into the overrepresentation and indefinite detention of First Nations people with disability in the criminal justice system. “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 14 times more likely to be imprisoned, with one third reporting a disability, 50% reporting a history of psychosocial disability, and

ListenBy Indigenous communities reporter Nakari Thorpe Mon 21 Feb 2022 Read the full article on the ABC website June Riemer said incarceration rates are particularly high because many Indigenous people in prison across the state live with a disability, mostly undiagnosed. The Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti woman is the deputy chief executive of the First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) created in 2010 to advocate on behalf of Indigenous people living with disability. “It’s not just a wheelchair,

ListenFPDN congratulates Gumbaynggirr Dunghutti woman and Deputy CEO June Riemer on her nomination for 2022 Australian of the Year, NSW. “We are very proud to hear of June’s nomination in recognition of her long advocacy for the rights of First Nations people with disability. She joins a long line of powerful advocates for our people with disability who continue to speak up on behalf of First Nations people with disability,” says FPDN CEO Damian Griffis.

ListenFPDN CEO Damian Griffis made a statement last night to The 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. Damian spoke to the impact of climate change on First Peoples of Australia’s ongoing connection to country and culture and the catastrophic consequences climate change presents for First Peoples with disabilities. You can read Damian’s statement in full below. My name is Damian Griffis I am a proud descendant of the Worimi and Biripi people of the Wallamba

ListenFirst Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) gave evidence to the Senate Community Affairs inquiry into the purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension (DSP). FPDN CEO Damian Griffis and Deputy CEO June Riemer presented a range of key recommendations for the initiative which would improve its applicability to those within the Indigenous community who live with disabilities. The recommendations included a review of income levels and costs for those with disabilities and the removal of barriers such as

ListenThe Disability Royal Commission has released a draft report calling the vaccine rollout for peoples living with disability as “seriously deficient”. The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability released the draft report which details 17 findings and 7 recommendations. It described the rollout as “seriously deficient”, particularly for people within residential disability settings and disability support workers. Whilst the report recognises the issues that faced the Department of Health in

ListenClick play to listen to the interview on Focus ABC with Larissa Behrendt and Damian Griffis. Source: Focus – ABC Radio Duration: 1hr. The interview with Damian starts at 38mins. Broadcast: Tue 17 Aug 2021, 10:00am