Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) says tonight’s federal budget is a devastating blow for women, girls and gender-diverse people with disability, with deep NDIS cuts set to leave more women without essential support.
WWDA said the Government is chasing Budget savings through cuts to essential disability supports, tighter NDIS access and reduced participant growth, despite the absence of real supports outside the Scheme.
WWDA also warned this is a serious cost-of-living blow to women with disability, who will be left with higher out-of-pocket costs, and in some cases pushed off the NDIS altogether.
“The Government is delivering some of its biggest Budget cuts through the NDIS and women and girls with disability will be hit hardest, and at a time when many are already at breaking point.”
“Women with disability are already being pushed to the brink by poverty, violence, inequity in health care, and ongoing systemic exclusion. These cuts will only make that worse,” Ms Cusworth said.
WWDA said cuts to social and community participation supports will be especially damaging for women and girls in group homes and segregated settings, where isolation already increases the risk of violence, abuse and neglect.
“The Disability Royal Commission heard what happens when people with disability are hidden away, isolated from community, denied choice and left without proper safety measures in place,” Ms Cusworth said.
“These cuts make women and girls with disability less safe and more exposed to violence, abuse and neglect,” Ms Cusworth said.
WWDA also notes that the Budget has not clarified how the remaining $3 billion commitment to Foundational Supports outside the NDIS will be directed.
“It remains unclear how the Government will address the significant unmet need for people with disability who are not currently eligible for the NDIS, and those who will lose essential supports in the context of NDIS changes,” Ms Cusworth said.
“Women are already underrepresented on the NDIS, making up just 38% of participants, are exiting the Scheme at greater rates than men, and are twice as likely as women without disability to experience violence – including in disability settings, where they are supposed to be safe. These cuts exacerbate these issues and as a result we will see even more women with disabilities pushed beyond breaking point,” Ms Cusworth said.
WWDA welcomes the Government’s commitment to funding for Disability Representative Organisations to support community engagement on the design and implementation of reforms. This will be integral to ensuring meaningful engagement and consultation with the disability community, on changes that will have profound impacts. Genuine engagement with the disability community will be critical to mitigating harm throughout changes to the NDIS.
WWDA also acknowledges the Government’s efforts to prioritise women and children’s safety in the child support system and continued commitment to preventing and responding to gender-based violence, however, this rings hollow if women with disability are simultaneously losing the supports they rely on to leave violence, go about daily essential activities, and stay connected to community.
“You cannot claim to prioritise women’s safety while cutting the supports that make safety and wellbeing for women with disability possible,” Ms Cusworth said.
This statement has been endorsed by:
- Women With Disabilities Victoria
- Women With Disabilities ACT
