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12 y old Perth campaigner asks Tony Abbott to keep his promise
She may only be twelve years only but Neve Guilfoile has been a hardworking member of the EAC campaign in WA with her brother Eamon, mum Julie and dad Jim. Yesterday she was allowed the day off school to attend the Perth march and rally and away from the crowds she spotted Tony Abbott and took the opportunity to ask if he would keep his promise to be Dr Yes to an NDIS and
help her 16yr old brother Eamon and all the other people who need support. See the story here http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/perth-rally-for-national-disability-scheme/story-e6frg13u-1226342327472
Member for Swan now on board
Claire Anderson, one the campaign’s best known champions took the NDIS pledge to her MP this week. Steve Irons is the federal member for Swan and spent a considerable amount of time listening to Claire’s story and discussing the broader issues.
Claire described the impact of inadequate assistance on her and her family, and how getting timely support was of such huge value in maintaining independence, particularly when you have a degenerative condition. She also highlighted the research that has been done to examine how savings made under an NDIS would offset the total amount spent and the many bonuses that would come from investing in people with disabilities and their families/carers.The Member for Swan was happy to sign the NDIS pledge and said he would be talking up the scheme in the party room.
Deputy Opposition Leader counts herself in
Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop is counted in by EAC campaigners (L to R) Judy Blyth, Ron Crittall, Margaret Walsh, Lois Gatley and Penny Crittall at her electorate office in Subiaco.
EAC campaigners in the seat of Curtin had a friendly and productive meeting yesterday with their federal member and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Julie Bishop. Ms Bishop who has been a member of the Politician Adoption scheme since 2000 is very much aware of the needs of people with disabilities and was keen to hear the particular circumstances of the 5 campaigners. Between them they represented a diverse range of concerns as carers, people with physical disabilities, those who work in the sector with people with intellectual disabilities and concerned community members who see this as humanitarian issue. After talking of what they’d learned personally and professionally they also raised the positive economic outcomes of introducing the scheme.
Ms Bishop is also convinced of the need for the NDIS and reiterated Tony Abbott’s recent comments of support, indicating that the next step is agreement on the source and amount of the funding.
Ms Bishop plans to report on her meeting with the campaign and her support for the NDIS in her next electoral newsletter.
Thanks to our Australia Day champions
It was a memorable Australia Day in Perth with 42 degree heat, rain and a great lightning display – all during our efforts to sign up some of the crowds prior to the fireworks event! Because of all that we ended up with two much smaller, but incredibly efficient, teams of volunteers who collected over 600 signatures, which given the conditions was a brilliant effort. Thanks to all the vollies and to the AnaLakshmi and Boatshed restaurants which stored all our gear, donated water and were incredibly helpful. (Pictured above are some of the South Perth crew – Julie & Neve, Megs,Myrtle, Peter, Cherry and Rian).
Alex Hawke MP for Mitchell supports the Every Australian Counts Campaign
Message From Alex Hawke MP:
A number of families in Mitchell have contacted me about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). NDIS would provide support to approx. 360,000 people whose disability has a significant impact on their daily lives. A national campaign has been launched Every Australian Counts to make sure the Federal Government commits to introducing the NDIS as recommended by the productivity commission.
This photo is the result of fantastic work by Every Australian Counts activists taking the message about the need for the NDIS to their federal member of parliament. You can set up a meeting with your federal MP by clicking on this link: http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/mp_action/
Erin signs on as our 100,000th supporter
Our 100,000th supporter is Erin Auguste from WA who is currently campaigning from the bedside of her almost 2 year old son Falcon. While most Mums are frantic with presents and food preparation in the week before Christmas,Erin is spending her days in Princess Margaret Children’s Hospital with Falcon, and has been giving in a very different way by becoming an Every Australian Counts champion and going public with her call to join the campaign. Yesterday Erin was interviewed by The West Australian newspaper about her family’s situation, why she is backing an NDIS and her two appeals – for everyone to sign up and a practical way to immediately help local families of kids with disabilities.
Campaigner of the Week – Mary-Anne Bath
Meet the Bath family who are a team when it comes to promoting the Every Australian Counts campaign and disability issues. Mary-Anne Bath has been a powerful disability advocate for many years, mostly through her work with People with Disabilities WA, from which she has just retired after a 6 year term as President. Bob who has a finance background has just stepped into the organization as treasurer.
On Dec 2nd Mary-Anne fronted an audience of 350 people at the annual WestCare Breakfast for International Day of People with a Disability, in which the campaign was a partner. Seated on stage in front of husband Bob, and son John, she paid tribute to both of her loved ones, saying it was only because of their total commitment that she was able to speak up on behalf of those who couldn’t or didn’t yet know how.
NDIS action week gets going in Queensland
Hundreds of Queenslanders with disability, their families, friends, carers, service providers and community advocacy organisations are playing an active role helping toSpread the Word! about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Spread the Word! week is in full swing from November 27 leading up to December 3, as we all do our bit to grow the Every Australian Counts campaign to 100,000 supporters.
Most people understand now that ensuring the NDIS becomes reality is up to us as individuals. The more we do, the more we ask our service providers and advocacy groups to support the NDIS, the more sure we can be that the NDIS WILL happen.
Ronni and Matthew, SA campaigners of the week
Ronni, our campaigner of the week is pictured here with her 9 year old son Matthew, husband Geoff and Federal MP, the Hon Kate Ellis. Ronni is not new to advocacy as she has been fighting for a better deal for children with disabilities over the past 9 years.
Matthew, who has severe and multiple disabilities also has chronic complex health needs which destined him to spend a considerable amount of time in hospital and the medical system in his first years of life. Ronni became a vocal member on several health committees, where as a consumer advocate she passionately championed for better systems for children with complex health needs and improved conditions on the Medical Wards in the Womens and Childrens Hospital.
As Matthew’s health issues began to improve and he spent less time in hospital Ronni learnt just how deficient, broken and crisis driven our disability sector is. SA has the sad claim to having the lowest rate of state funding per person with a disability.
Peter and Linda Tully, QLD NDIS campaigners of the week
Demonstrating true teamwork Peter Tully and his wife Linda have tirelessly explained and promoted the campaign for the NDIS to the Ipswich community in Queensland.
Peter and Linda helped host a successful DisabiliTEA in August and helped promote NDIS Ipswich forums run by the Every Australian Counts campaign.
They were key players in the recent Ipswich Community NDIS forum, organised by Blair MP Shayne Neumann, which was attended by Senator Jan McLucas.
Peter and Linda are also active participants in the Ipswich Disability Interagency Network and have been invited onto the Ipswich City Council’s Access Reference Group to assist in the planning of the International Day of people with Disability Ipswich celebrations. Peter is also a Regional Facilitator in the Ipswich region for Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN).
Join the campaign
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events- Leading pollies round out Melbourne rally
- Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes AM to address Melbourne rally
- Rudely Interrupted to rock the Melbourne NDIS rally ...
- President of Advocacy Tasmania David Pearce OAM to address Hobart rally
- NDIS champion Tricia Malowney to address Melbourne rally
- Big Day Out-look: Pakenham to go all the way to the city
- Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek invites you to a forum on the NDIS
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In the media
In the media- BIPARTISANSHIP OR WEDGE POLITICS FOR PM - 16 May, 2012
- States to rebel on disability scheme - 15 May, 2012
- Money and detail: post-budget NDIS analysis - 14 May, 2012
- Explainer: The National Disability Insurance Scheme - 10 April, 2012
- Disability help a win for us all - 10 March, 2012
- Media Release - Make It Real - 23 February, 2012
- Show us the money - 22 February, 2012
- See Stella twice in two days: discounted tix, free workshop - 10 February, 2012
