Wednesday, 26 March 2025
First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) welcome the $365.4M commitment to foundational support through the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program (ILC), but specific measures to ensure that they are Culturally Responsive need to be embedded in the implementation of those supports.
However, we are very disappointed to see that there are no significant new advancements or commitments to First Nations Peoples with disability and this tells us that some of the most vulnerable people in our community continue to be overlooked year after year.
“By any measure First Nations Peoples with disability remain some of the most disadvantaged Australians, this is because they often face discrimination based upon their Indigeneity and disability. Says Damian Griffis, FPDN CEO.
Whilst there were continued commitments as promised, the disproportionate impact of disability on First Nations Peoples requires significant and authentic long-term investment, supporting empowerment and self-determination and the government plans for foundational supports to take on functions outside of the NDIS, there is a significant risk that First Nations Peoples will fall through the gaps yet again. There is simply not enough information about the form that foundational supports will take and how they will meet the needs of our communities.
“More needs to be done urgently to design appropriate supports for First Nations Peoples with disability in partnership with the First Peoples Disability Network, the national peak organisation of and for First Nations Peoples with disability.” Says Mr Griffis.
Our Call On The Government
Considering the recent Budget announcement, FPDN calls on the government to make solid financial commitments to the progress of all 13 recommendations in the Disability Royal Commission’s Final Report – Volume 9, relating to First Nations Peoples with a disability.
The measures which support disability advocacy, and the NDIS appeals process are important for the operation of Australia’s disability services, but revised forecasts of NDIS growth are very concerning, given the wide reliance on the NDIS system and the lack of detail in how those savings will be achieved.
FPDN also requests that the government to clarify that those revisions will not impact the safety, quality and availability of NDIS services for First Nations people, who already access the scheme at far lower levels than the rest of the disability community.
For all media enquires please contact:
Luke Briscoe, National Communications Manager
Email: [email protected] or Mobile: 0407773259
