Australia: PWDA Condemns Ableist Rhetoric And Calls For Respectful Leadership Ahead Of Election

Scoop

30-04-2025

Press Release – People with Disability Australia – PWDA
PWDA is also concerned about the rise of ableist abuse and misinformation on social media during the election, with people with disability and other marginalised groups facing increased vilification online.
People with Disability Australia (PWDA), the national disability rights and advocacy peak body, is calling on all political parties, candidates and members of the public to reject ableist language and divisive narratives in the final days of the Federal Election campaign and to commit to respectful, inclusive discourse.
PWDA President Trinity Ford expressed concern harmful rhetoric had marred the election campaign.
'Throughout this campaign, PWDA has been alarmed by the use of language that harms and stigmatises people with disability. This includes disparaging references to mental illness, negative stereotyping of people with psychosocial disability, and reports of slurs such as the R-word being used at campaign events.
'Language matters. Words that belittle, dehumanise or stereotype people with disability fuel discrimination and exclusion. They cause real harm. There is no excuse for this kind of rhetoric in Australian public life, especially at a time when our community is seeking leadership that will take real action to end the violence and inequality we continue to endure,' she said.
PWDA is also concerned about the rise of ableist abuse and misinformation on social media during the election, with people with disability and other marginalised groups facing increased vilification online.
'Online spaces should be places where disabled people can raise our voices and participate fully in democracy. Instead, we are seeing worrying trends of abuse and misinformation targeting people with disability and other communities,' said PWDA CEO Sebastian Zagarella.
PWDA is urging all candidates, political parties, media outlets and members of the public to uphold respect and inclusion in their language and actions. PWDA's Language Guide provides free, best-practice advice on inclusive language, and we encourage everyone to use it.
'Disability is a normal part of human diversity. Mental illness is not a character flaw or a danger. People with disability are not burdens to be feared or problems to be solved. We are valued members of our community who have the right to participate, to belong and to be heard,' said Mr Zagarella.
'If political leaders are serious about addressing inequality, they must reject divisive and harmful narratives and focus on delivering real reforms. That means investment in accessible housing, increasing income support payments, providing disability services outside the NDIS and upholding the rights of people with disability,' Ms Ford said.
PWDA stands in solidarity with all communities who have been targeted by harmful rhetoric during this election campaign.