National protests on August 1 condemned Labor's plan to cut $38 billion from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and reduce all participants’ funding.
The NDIS cuts make up the biggest part of Labor’s 2026 budget savings, while, at the same time, Labor is spending millions more on the military. While in lock-step with the Coalition, Labor also wants to be seen as compassionate. Labor’s bill is scheduled to go to the Senate on August 14.
Around 20 people joined a silent vigil on August 1 outside South Australia’s Parliament House, organised at short notice by the Protect Our NDIS Alliance and Socialist Alliance Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide.
Jake Maison reports that the Naarm/Melbourne rally was MCed by Farida and Mike, both of whom are survivors of long COVID-19. Mike said there are more than 4500 submissions lodged by disabled people and allies to the Senate inquiry.
Speaking on behalf of a member of Mob4Mob, which could not attend, Farida outlined the community-led organisation’s recommendations, including a legislated “no exit without alternative” guarantee for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.
Husna, a racial justice and disabled rights activist said the NDIS is difficult for those whose first language is English “so … how can the NDIS be explained to someone who doesn’t speak English?”
“I have built up a great team of support workers from my community,” said Sam, a disability advocate and writer. “But all these lovely support workers, who I know and trust, could be taken away.”
Grace, a disability and housing justice, advocate said: “Approximately 6% of NDIS participants are eligible for supported disability accommodation and there remains a significant oversupply of properties on the market that were designed as investments first and functional homes in sensible locations second.”
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs,” said Isaac, a Socialist Alliance member and disability support worker. “But you don’t need to be a Marxist to agree with that; you just need to have a heart.”
The National Day of Action's demands were: Stop the cuts; Don’t kick people off the NDIS; and Tax the gas corporations and billionaires and expand disability services.
Nearly 70 organisations have endorsed these demands, including: Accessible Victorian Greens, Australian Services Union (VIC-TAS), Defend the CFMEU, Loud Jew Collective, Socialist Alliance Victoria and Trans-Feminists Unite!
More than 100 people gathered at City Square in Naarm/Melbourne to protest the proposed cuts. The rallies are demanding that the NDIS bill be scrapped; the cuts are stopped; people are not kicked off the NDIS, and services are expanded and to tax the gas corporations and billionaires.
