New Design
  1. Enable New Design

Government official faces heat over building concerns. Is this office accessible enough for Aussies?

News & Politics

Government official faces heat over building concerns. Is this office accessible enough for Aussies?

MP office.PNG Government official faces heat over building concerns. Is this office accessible enough for Aussies?
Disability advocates call for more accessible spaces in government offices, especially in the Health Minister's office. Image Credit: Shane Hryhorec

When you can't even ring the doorbell to get into a government building, you know there's a serious problem with accessibility planning.



Australia's Health and Disability Minister Mark Butler has found himself in the spotlight over concerns that some government facilities may not be meeting basic accessibility standards that many of us take for granted.




Mark Butler serves as both Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), making accessibility issues squarely within his wheelhouse.



The dual role puts him at the centre of ensuring Australia's 4.4 million people with disability can access the services they need without unnecessary barriers.


The accessibility challenge facing Australia

The issue highlights a broader problem across Australia where the NDIS has grown incredibly fast and created new markets, which have impacted and distorted other parts of the health and social care ecosystem. But while services expand, basic infrastructure accessibility sometimes lags behind.



For many Australians over 60, accessibility isn't just about wheelchairs—it encompasses everything from hearing loops for hearing aids to clear signage for those with vision impairments, and yes, even something as basic as a functioning doorbell that people can actually reach and use.




Your accessibility rights in Australia



  • All new public buildings must comply with Disability Discrimination Act standards

  • Government facilities should provide equal access regardless of ability

  • You can make complaints through the Australian Human Rights Commission

  • Many accessibility features benefit everyone, not just people with disability



Butler's challenging portfolio

The minister's plate is certainly full. Recent media appearances show Butler addressing fraud in the NDIS, with the National Audit Office concluding that prior to 2024, the NDIS lacked basic prevention controls for fraud and non-compliance, with Australians rightly appalled by stories about fraudsters ripping off taxpayers and people with disability.



But while tackling fraud is crucial, advocates argue that basic accessibility compliance shouldn't take a back seat. After all, what's the point of having comprehensive disability services if people can't even get through the front door of government buildings?



The minister has been transparent about the challenges facing the disability sector. He acknowledges that while the NDIS job isn't done, the scheme is entering its adolescence—a period involving the maturing of services, but also full of risks that things will run off the rails without supervision and management.




What This Means For You


Many accessibility improvements benefit everyone. Ramps help not just wheelchair users but people with walking frames, mobility scooters, and parents with prams. Clear signage helps those with vision problems navigate more easily. Proper doorbells and entry systems ensure everyone can access services independently, maintaining dignity and autonomy.




The Australian Human Rights Commission reports that accessibility complaints often come from older Australians who've developed mobility, vision, or hearing challenges later in life. These aren't just 'nice to have' features—they're legal requirements under federal legislation.



For the over-60s, accessibility barriers can mean the difference between independence and dependence, between accessing services directly or needing to rely on others for help.


Recent policy developments

Butler's recent focus on investing more than $500 million to build NDIS capacity and launching more than 600 investigations into suspected fraud [5] shows the government is taking disability services seriously from a financial integrity perspective.



However, disability advocates argue that while preventing fraud is essential, ensuring basic accessibility compliance is equally crucial. After all, the most honest disability service in the world is useless if people can't physically access it.




'The scheme is entering its adolescence—a period full of risks that things will run off the rails without supervision and management.'

- Minister Mark Butler, health.gov.au




MP office 2.PNG
Disability advocate Shane Hryhorec poses in front of the office and the lack of wheelchair-friendly entrances. Image Credit: Shane Hryhorec

Looking ahead

Butler has acknowledged that more needs to be done to protect the NDIS and the people who rely on it, requiring much more robust market stewardship, including a well-calibrated system of provider registration. But advocates suggest this market stewardship should extend to basic accessibility compliance for all facilities receiving government funding.



The minister faces the complex task of balancing fraud prevention, service expansion, and basic accessibility compliance across a sector that touches millions of Australians.



For those over 60, many of whom may develop accessibility needs as they age, getting this balance right isn't just good policy—it's essential for maintaining independence and dignity.




Know your accessibility rights



    If you encounter accessibility barriers at government facilities:


  • Document the problem with photos if possible

  • Contact the facility manager first

  • File a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission if needed

  • Contact your local federal MP's office for assistance

  • Remember: accessibility is a legal requirement, not a favour.





As Australia continues to grapple with an ageing population and growing awareness of disability rights, ensuring basic accessibility compliance isn't just about following the law—it's about creating an inclusive society where everyone can participate fully, regardless of their physical capabilities.



Have you encountered accessibility barriers when trying to access government services? We'd love to hear your experiences and any tips you have for navigating these challenges. Share your story in the comments below.



Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
The shortcomings of Shorten saw him slither out the moneypit NDIS door, leaving a rorted, abjectly flawed, unregulated debacle; handing the silver platter to the “Man servant”; the smiling assassin of rights and a further enabler of right royal rorting and abuse😡
 
The shortcomings of Shorten saw him slither out the moneypit NDIS door, leaving a rorted, abjectly flawed, unregulated debacle; handing the silver platter to the “Man servant”; the smiling assassin of rights and a further enabler of right royal rorting and abuse😡
Love your word magic! You said it beautifully. Sad that it's so true.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leenie and Iggydi
NDIS is disaster. Mega millions are being thrown at people with minor or fabricated disabilities, including children in wealthy families. Why isn't it means tested? That would be the first reform I would implement if I had the power. All other welfare is means tested. As one mother said, "It seems brutally unfair that my sister gets a doctor to say her kids are ADHD and even though they appear no different to mine, and her family income is much higher than ours, taxpayers pay for their trampoline and 'educational toys' and consultations with a shrink, while I have to pay for everything for my kids - who, thankfully, don't need a shrink because they are loved and sensibly disciplined, unlike her brats who are neglected while she and her husband club and party."

The second reform would be to appoint independent assessors. It's way too easy to pay a doctor for a convenient assessment. I know honest folk who are not getting much help at all despite a genuine need, but on the other hand I know several who have nothing much wrong with them at all but are getting huge amounts to pay for luxuries most of us can't afford and they wouldn't even consider paying for if the taxpayer wasn't funding them.

What worries me most, though, is the increase in disability that I think is down to medical malpractice driven by drug company greed. Kids are being put on drugs for ADHD or depression when sensible discipline and proper parental attention is all they need. Interfering too much with nature in human reproduction is producing more babies with disabilities. We know for certain that particular vaccines and drugs have hideous side effects, often causing permanent disability, yet they are still peddled with 'safe and effective' claims. Often, much safer and less costly remedies are available but are not offered or are even sometimes banned because of patents and profits.

And then, yes, there is the stupidity of bureaucrats who ignore the simple things like making sure buildings are accessible. Geez, even the abled appreciate a ramp, a doorbell that's visible and easy to reach, clear signage on lifts, etc. One thing that really annoys me - and I've written several times to Ministers suggesting it must contribute to traffic jams and even accidents - is the lack of clear street signs and numbers on buildings. How hard would it be to legislate that all businesses must display their address (number and street name) clearly on the front of their building?
 
NDIS was supposed to help those that needed it, but the greed and dishonesty of some people made sure others couldn't get the help they needed. When the government implement services, some people have the mindset of "It's the Government we will get as much as we can" they don't think about anyone else. That causes the blowouts in the funding. My sister worked for a couple that got the NDIS and the person getting it wasn't as disabled as the wife made out. So there is a major breakdown in the system that was designed to help people with genuine needs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leenie
it is a rort. same as aged care and its services. charges for a simple installation are disgustingly high.
 
Who are the idiots granting it to those that don't need it and declining it to those that do? I mean what the hell! Change the people making the decisions to start with and get some consistent rulings in place across the board. Surely it can't be that hard. Fortunately I have bad nothing to do with the NDIS apart from a family who have a very severely special needs son and the hoops they had to jump through and paperwork and that used up a good portion of the funds supposedly. What's the point of that?
 
It is better than 20 years ago but there is still a long way to go for all public buildings to be accessible. Some builders think that a ramp (read hill) is fine just covering some steps - no hand rail, no turning area for a wheelchair and the heaviest door that not even most older standing people could open. It's 2025 - surely we can do better than this and other users will appreciate it too.
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×