It has been an incredibly busy and productive time for our small team, and we want to share an update on the major advocacy campaigns we have been leading across the country.
We've created campaign pages for each of these, so you can stay up to date on what we've done and what we are still doing for the Parkinson's community. It has articles, news videos and radio interviews as well as submissions and more information on each topic.
#BanParaquat Campaign
Our campaign to ban Paraquat, a toxic herbicide, has gained strong national attention.
Senator David Pocock's Senate Estimates Committee Meeting questioning of the APVMA's head, Peter Hansen, on the nearly 30-year review of paraquat/diquat was informed by our #BanParaquat campaign. See it HERE.
After the Senate Estimates Meeting, Parkinson’s Australia CEO Olivia Nassaris and Senator Pocock gave a Sunrise interview: Watch HERE.
Ros Thomas authored an excellent piece for The Weekend Australian on Paraquat. Read HERE.
We are working with farmers who believe they have Parkinson's because of working with Paraquat. If you are interested in speaking up, please get in touch with (email: info@parkinsons.org.au). More information about joining the class action with SHINE LAWYERS can be found HERE.
Online and print coverage has also expanded with National media outlets reporting on the long-running paraquat review, its continued use in Australia, and growing international restrictions. Each piece adds pressure for regulatory action.
This work is shifting the discussion from awareness to accountability. The focus now is sustained media coverage and continued engagement with decision makers.
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee’s Inquiry on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations)
We made a detailed submission to the Senate inquiry into changes to the NDIS. This submission sets out the risks these reforms pose for people living with Parkinson’s and outlines practical changes.
We also supported you to take part. A simple template made it easier for individuals and families to prepare their own submissions. This approach aims to increase the volume of lived experience presented to government.
Parkinson’s Australia also prepared the submission from Neurological Alliance Australia and members of the Neurodegenerative, Palliative Care and Rare Diseases Advisory Group of the NDIA (NPRAG), of which our CEO is co-chair. It brings together evidence from neurological, palliative, and rare condition organisations.
The link to our NDIS Advocacy Campaign page can be found below.
The focus now is to ensure that the government is aware of the devastating effect that these changes could have on the NDIS and the under 65's Parkinson's community.
OLDER AUSTRALIANS: DISABILITY NEEDS, NOT JUST A NUMBER CAMPAIGN
We have launched a national campaign OLDER AUSTRALIANS: DISABILITY NEEDS, NOT JUST A NUMBER CAMPAIGN. This campaign focuses on clear outcomes for people with Parkinson’s who are over 65 and must have access to appropriate, ongoing disability support. The system must support and recognise ageing plus people with degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's.
Current reforms risk treating age as the main factor in access to services. This does not reflect the needs of people living with progressive conditions such as Parkinson’s. Our campaign sets out a different approach. Support should be based on disability needs.
We are working with other peak organisations to increase the number of submissions to the Senate inquiry into the Support at Home program. The target is an additional 1,000 submissions before the closing date of 31 July 2026. Campaign materials have been shared so organisations can adapt them for their own communities. YOU CAN ACCESS THEM HERE.
In parallel, we have escalated a specific case to the Minister’s office. A response has confirmed the issue is now under review by the Department. This creates an opportunity to address the problem at a system level.
1) The quickest and easiest thing you can do is to sign our Change.org petition and join nearly 20,000 people in saying we do not want Paraquat in our country.
2) Attend a roundtable: We are holding a round table on each of the reforms, hosted by our CEO, Olivia Nassaris.
June 16: 11:30am ACST on NDIS Reforms
June 16: 12:30pm ACST on Aged Care Reforms
3) Write a submission regarding the Aged Care Reforms the government is proposing to let them know that you require funding based on needs, not just that you are over 65! #NeedsnotaNumber
"I still go to the gym. I still travel. I still laugh. I am more than my Parkinson’s"
When Robyn was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2016, she didn't know what came next. What she found was a network of specialists, support coordinators, exercise programs, a community and a persistence withing that helped her stay herself.
Nine years on, she's proof that a Parkinson's diagnosis doesn't have to mean the end of the life you love, and she's asking others to help make sure the next person diagnosed can say the same.
Donations to Parkinson's Australia before 30 June are fully tax-deductible and go directly to our programs and community advocacy.
Help us spread the word!
Share your newsletter with friends, family & colleagues.
Follow us on social media.
@parkinsonsaus & @yopxaustralia
Parkinson's Australia Limited, 15 Moore Street, Level 4, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia, 0407703328
