During the first Leaders' Debate, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was asked by an audience member, Catherine, about NDIS funding cuts.
Catherine, the mother of an autistic four-year-old, said her son's NDIS funding had been cut by 30%.
Scott Morrison said that he could not understand her challenges because he and Jenny have been "blessed" with two children without disability.
Every Australian Counts said, "For people who don't really know disability, this kind of commentary may appear benign. But we know this hurts people in our community, a lot."
According to the latest NDIS Quarterly Report on average, people with disability had their NDIS packages cut in the last 12 months by 4% (an average cut of $2,700 per person).
This comes the day after Anthony Albanese and the Labor party announced their new NDIS policy.
The ASU is proud to support the Every Australian Counts campaign to #DefendOurNDIS.
Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame – who is autistic said, “Autism blesses those of us who have it with the ability to spot fakes from a mile off.”
Autism blesses those of us who have it with the ability to spot fakes from a mile off pic.twitter.com/Ck41YcqAAq
— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) April 20, 2022
"Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been blasted for saying he and his wife Jenny were 'blessed' to have two children who do not have disabilities…" #LeadersDebate #NDIS #DefendOurNDIS #AusPol https://t.co/XnjbytzT0K
— Every Australian Counts (@EveryAustralian) April 20, 2022
Disabled people - our value is not determined by how our Prime Muppet speaks about us.
— Carly Findlay OAM (she/her) (@carlyfindlay) April 20, 2022
We matter.
We deserve love, supportive & well funded programs like NDIS, opportunity, equality.
The world is blessed to have us.
(& we are blessed not to have Scott Morrison as our Dad.)
I am done with this government dismissing and disempowering disabled people. Together we are powerful, let's show Scott Morrison just how blessed we all are and kick his government out in 31 days time ✊ #VoteGreens #auspol
— Senator Jordon Steele-John (@SenatorJordon) April 20, 2022
Woke up this morning feeling very blessed to be disabled - I reckon my parents are pretty happy about it too.
— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) April 20, 2022
Feeling sorry for us and our families doesn’t help. Treating us equally, and giving us the choice and control over our own lives does
We need to defend and fix the #NDIS. Only an Albanese Labor Government will stop the cuts, stop the waste and return the NDIS to its original vision. #saveourndis #defendourndis #AusVotes22 https://t.co/nRPquLLGSg
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) April 20, 2022
Read More:
The Australian: Grace Tame fires up over PM's blessed comments
News.com.au: Dylan Alcott serves Scott Morrison after ‘blessed’ comment
Nine News: Scott Morrison under fire after 'blessed' comment during debate