Stop the Loans Scheme: Week 5 Update and Call to Action!

By September 11th, 2025No Comments

A big thank you to everyone who has taken action and reached out to their local MP. Since last week’s reminder, the number of MPs contacted has more than doubled – a fantastic result. You’ll find the full list of MPs contacted so far below. If your MP isn’t on the list, we still need your help. It’s not too late to make a difference – send a quick letter today using our simple template and add your voice to the campaign!

New South Wales

  •               Kevin Anderson – Member for Tamworth
  •               Chris Minns – Member for Kogarah
  •               Zali Steggall – Member for Warringah
  •               Dr Sophie Scamps – Member for Mackellar
  •               Pat Conroy – Member for Shortland
  •               Kristy McBain – Member for Eden-Monaro
  •               Fiona Phillips – Member for Gilmore
  •               Carol Berry – Member for Whitlam
  •               Alison Byrnes – Member for Cunningham

Victoria

  •               Catherine King – Member for Ballarat
  •               Dan Tehan – Member for Wannon
  •               Anne Webster – Member for Mallee
  •               Mary Doyle – Member for Aston
  •               Tim Wilson – Member for Goldstein

Queensland

  •               David Batt – Member for Bundaberg/Hinkler
  •               Llew O’Brien – Member for Wide Bay
  •               Terry Young – Member for Longman

Western Australia

  •               Kate Chaney – Member for Curtin

South Australia

  •               Nat Cook – Member for Hurtle Vale

Tasmania

  •               Rebecca White – Member for Lyons
  •               Andrew Wilkie – Member for Clark

Australia Capital Territory

  •               None listed

Northern Territory

  •               None listed

Organising a face-to-face meeting with your MP

It’s great to see that several members have already secured face-to-face meetings with their local MPs. If you’ve written but haven’t heard back, now is the time to follow up and request a meeting. Written correspondence is easy to ignore – a conversation across the table is not. Your voice matters. Meeting with your MP is one of the most effective ways to ensure decision-makers hear directly from those working in the assistive technology sector. You will usually only get 30 minutes for a meeting, so we’ve included some tips below to enable you to get the most out of your time.

  1. Prepare in advance:
  •               Adapt and send the briefing paper template to your MP’s office by email before the meeting.
  •               Take two printed copies with you: one for the MP and one for their Advisor.
  •               Read your MP’s maiden and most recent speeches to understand their priorities and think about how to link these interests to the importance of assistive technology (you can find these speeches on their respective parliamentary website listing).
  1. Keep your messages clear
  •               Focus on two or three key points rather than overwhelming with detail.
  •               Introduce your business and explain the types of assistive technology you supply, with examples that are relevant to local constituents.
  •               Define assistive technology simply (any aid or piece of equipment that helps someone do a task they would otherwise struggle with) and provide product examples. If possible, bring an item to demonstrate.
  1. Make it personal and practical:
  •               Share real stories that show how assistive technology changes lives and supports independence.
  •               Explain that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the aged care system so it truly meets the needs of older Australians and that we will all have friends or family members who require access to AT as they age.
  1. Highlight key concerns:
  •               Stress that the proposed National Assistive Technology Loans Scheme conflicts with the rights-based approach in the new Aged Care Act.
  •               Point out the misalignment with the NDIS, where AT is provided through an open market.
  •               Refer to key points included in your briefing paper around the broader benefits an open market approach would offer.
  1. Build the relationship:
  •               Be respectful of your MP’s time and thank them for meeting with you.
  •               Follow up with a short email afterwards to reinforce your main points.

Call to Action: Email a letter to your state/territory ministerial disability advisory committee!

Each state and territory has a disability advisory committee. These groups provide independent advice to government on issues that affect people with disability, their families, carers and service providers. They monitor policy, advise ministers and promote inclusion.

This week, we are asking you to use our new letter template to draft and send a letter to your state/territory disability advisory committee. You only need to personalise the template with a few key details before sending it, including:

  •               Your business letterhead
  •               Date
  •               Name of the committee you are writing to
  •               Committee email address
  •               Minister’s name and title
  •               Name of your state or territory disability plan
  •               Your name and title

We have included all of the state/territory-specific details you’ll need below for your convenience. This is an important opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our sector’s voice. Every letter adds weight to our campaign and increases the likelihood of meaningful reform.

Australian Capital Territory

Strategy: ACT Disability Strategy 2024–2033

Minister: Suzanne Orr MLA, Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services

Committee: ACT Disability Reference Group

Committee email: OfficeforDisability@act.gov.au

New South Wales

Strategy: NSW Disability Inclusion Plan

Minister: The Hon Kate Washington MP, Minister for Disability Inclusion

Committee: NSW Disability Council

Committee email: DisabilityCouncil@dcj.nsw.gov.au

 

Northern Territory

Strategy: Northern Territory disability strategy 2022–2032

Minister: The Hon Jinson Charls, Minister for Disability

Committee: Northern Territory Disability Advisory Committee

Committee email: officeofdisability.dpsc@nt.gov.au

 

Queensland

Strategy: Queensland’s Disability Plan2022-27

Minister: The Hon Amanda Camm MP, QLD Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services

Committee: Queensland Disability Advisory Council

Committee email: QDACsecretariat@families.qld.gov.au

 

South Australia

Strategy: State Disability Inclusion Plan2025-2029

Minister: The Hon Nat Cook MP, Minister for Human Services

Committee: SA Disability Minister’s Advisory Council

Committee email: DHS.SocialInclusion@sa.gov.au

 

Tasmania

Strategy: Tasmania’s Disability Strategy2025-2027

Minister: The Hon Joanne Palmer MLC, Minister for Disability

Committee: Minister’s Disability Consultative Group

Committee email: disabilitypp@dpac.tas.gov.au

 

Victoria

Strategy: Inclusive Victoria: State disability plan 2022–2026

Minister: The Hon Lizzie Blandthorn MP, Minister for Disability

Committee: Victorian Disability Advisory Council

Committee email: vdac@dffh.vic.gov.au

Western Australia

Strategy: State Disability Strategy2020-2030

Minister: The Hon Hannah Beazley, Minister for Disability Services

Committee: Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability,

Committee email: Boards_Committees@communities.wa.gov.au

Thank you for your time, energy and commitment. Every action you take strengthens this campaign, and together we can make a real difference. Please support our work in whatever way you can – and don’t forget to send lauren.henley@atsa.org.au  a copy of any correspondence so we can track our reach and impact.