Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) congratulates the re-elected Albanese Government and looks forward to working constructively with the new Ministry to deliver meaningful reform that centres the rights, needs and leadership of women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities.
The Prime Minister confirmed the Ministry for this term of Government on Monday 12 May 2025.
WWDA congratulates the Hon Mark Butler MP, who now adds Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme to his existing portfolio of Health and Ageing; Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme; Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women, Finance and Government Services; Minister the Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Social Services; and Minister the Hon Ged Kearney, Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence.
WWDA also congratulates disability advocate Ali France on winning the seat of Dickson. Her presence in Parliament is a significant milestone for our community, and we reiterate our call for lived experience leadership to be embedded in every level of disability reform.
WWDA is hopeful that a shared focus on disability, health and the NDIS is an opportunity for the Government to better address the current fragmentation between disability and chronic health supports, which disproportionately impacts our community.
“This parliamentary term will be critical. It must deliver long-overdue reform that responds to the realities of our lives – especially when it comes to ending gender-based violence, reforming discriminatory legal frameworks, and ensuring foundational supports reach those currently left behind,” said Sophie Cusworth, CEO of WWDA. “We will continue to advocate unapologetically for the rights of women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities in Australia and for the Government to act on the findings of the Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review – with a clear focus on gender.”
WWDA has outlined three clear, achievable priorities for disability reform in coming months. These priorities are grounded in evidence, shaped by the lived expertise of our community, and ready for implementation:
- Establish a funded, disability-led gender-based violence working group to inform the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children.
- Reform the legal definition of ‘domestic and family violence’ to reflect the realities of violence experienced by women and gender-diverse people with disabilities – including institutional abuse and disability-specific forms of harm.
- Invest in gender-responsive foundational supports for people with chronic and episodic health conditions, to ensure no one is left behind due to eligibility gaps or systemic discrimination.
WWDA’s full Election Platform can be accessed here:
Women and gender-diverse people with disabilities are experts in our own lives. This term of government is a crucial opportunity to partner with our community, uphold our rights, and ensure no one is left behind.
