Advocating for a fairer, accountable and accessible Disability Support Pension (DSP)
Posted on: Fri 12 Nov 2021
Trans and non-binary advocate, teacher, research student, academic and Convener for Sociology of Media at The Australian Sociological Association (TASA), Ricki Spencer doesn’t misconstrue their words when it comes to calling out bureaucratic inaction, discrimination and stigma, especially from federal government agencies including Centrelink, who are responsible in dealing with the applicability and eligibility criteria, processes and assessments of the Disability Support Pension.
The Senate Community Affairs Inquiry is holding a public hearing which will look into the intent, purpose and adequacy of this pension scheme, where Spencer is expected to speak as a witness about what some disabled claimants, who are receiving the DSP, are being subjected to.
Spencer also explained to Packed Lunch‘s Jarad McLoughlin about why classism and ableism are preventing many disabled Australians, such as those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or Indigenous from getting onto the DSP and that advocates must do more to fight for a much fairer, accountable and accessible social welfare system.
Produced by Jarad McLoughlin
Photo credit: Ricki Spencer
