WEBVTT - IPS presents DADAA in Canberra 0:00:44.913 --> 0:00:47.833 Hello and welcome to In Plain Sight, a program where 0:00:47.833 --> 0:00:50.433 we highlight people who are making a positive impact in 0:00:50.433 --> 0:00:52.673 the community and disability sector. 0:00:52.793 --> 0:00:55.673 Shining a light on those who would be otherwise hidden 0:00:55.673 --> 0:00:56.793 in plain sight. 0:00:56.793 --> 0:00:58.873 And it's a pleasure to bring you these stories on 0:00:58.873 --> 0:01:02.473 a weekly basis with you here on Vision Australia Radio. 0:01:05.113 --> 0:01:08.073 Hello and welcome. I'm Simon Chong, and this week on 0:01:08.073 --> 0:01:11.033 In Plain Sight. I'm out here on my own where 0:01:11.033 --> 0:01:13.752 I have a very special episode of In Plain Sight 0:01:13.793 --> 0:01:17.312 to present to you today. Following up on a recent 0:01:17.313 --> 0:01:23.913 interview we did with participant Tegel and Arts mentor Dennis 0:01:23.953 --> 0:01:28.633 Collins from Dada DADAA, who came into the studio to 0:01:28.673 --> 0:01:31.793 talk to us about their visit to Canberra. The. Since 0:01:31.793 --> 0:01:34.833 had their visit to Canberra and it's a delight for 0:01:34.833 --> 0:01:38.193 me to present some of the highlights I have chosen 0:01:38.193 --> 0:01:43.533 from their really fabulous Interviews that they conducted with two 0:01:43.533 --> 0:01:48.733 politicians and a staff person there at Parliament House in Canberra. 0:01:49.213 --> 0:01:53.613 So first we have an interview with Joe Tekle conducted 0:01:53.613 --> 0:01:57.533 with Ali Frantz. Then we will hear from Ben David, 0:01:57.533 --> 0:02:00.453 who talks to Angus Jolley, who is a staff person 0:02:00.453 --> 0:02:04.093 and communications officer there at Parliament House in Canberra. And 0:02:04.093 --> 0:02:07.653 we follow that up with a really wonderful, interesting interview 0:02:07.693 --> 0:02:12.613 that Joe conducts with Senator Jordon Steele-john from Western Australia. 0:02:13.213 --> 0:02:15.773 So coming up for you now is an interview that 0:02:15.773 --> 0:02:19.333 Joe Tekle conducted with Ali France. Now, just to preface 0:02:19.333 --> 0:02:24.333 this by saying that when Joe initially conducted this interview, 0:02:24.373 --> 0:02:28.373 they were within the Parliament House building itself. And as 0:02:28.373 --> 0:02:32.053 a matter of business and usual protocols and conduct within 0:02:32.053 --> 0:02:35.773 Parliament House, they ring a bell, they toll some chimes 0:02:35.773 --> 0:02:38.133 to let people know that it is time to go 0:02:38.133 --> 0:02:40.393 to work. It's time to go into the House or 0:02:40.393 --> 0:02:43.833 the chamber to either vote on something, to participate in 0:02:43.833 --> 0:02:46.673 Question Time or whatever business might be happening within the 0:02:46.673 --> 0:02:51.193 Parliament chamber itself. And just as Joe was getting into 0:02:51.233 --> 0:02:54.792 the to the, the, the main part of his questions 0:02:54.793 --> 0:03:02.553 with um parliamentarian politician Ali France, uh, the bells did toll, 0:03:02.593 --> 0:03:05.433 the chimes did ring and they had to stop the interview. 0:03:05.713 --> 0:03:08.833 Ali was good enough to come back and, uh, speak 0:03:08.833 --> 0:03:11.473 to Joe again when she had finished her work within 0:03:11.472 --> 0:03:14.473 the chamber. And what you'll hear now is the result 0:03:14.472 --> 0:03:18.912 of this really fabulous conversation, um, that Joe had with 0:03:18.953 --> 0:03:22.753 Ali France. And, um, as, as you will hear within 0:03:22.752 --> 0:03:27.192 that interview, Ali, um, is a person with a disability herself. 0:03:27.192 --> 0:03:30.192 She is an amputee. She lost part of her leg 0:03:30.192 --> 0:03:34.632 within a very serious and traumatic accident. And she describes 0:03:34.633 --> 0:03:37.393 part of that within this great interview now. 0:03:39.853 --> 0:03:43.573 Hello there. This is Joe. Here I am with Aly France, 0:03:43.693 --> 0:03:48.733 member for Dickson, the ALP, the House of Representatives. Aly, 0:03:48.773 --> 0:03:49.973 how are you doing today? 0:03:50.013 --> 0:03:50.813 I'm good. Joe. 0:03:50.853 --> 0:03:54.893 What do you think politicians misunderstand about disability? 0:03:55.053 --> 0:04:00.213 I think the biggest misconception about disability is that it 0:04:00.253 --> 0:04:07.893 defines us. Um, I see disability as very much a 0:04:07.893 --> 0:04:12.013 part of who I am, exactly the same as I 0:04:12.053 --> 0:04:17.853 am a mother. I'm a woman. I, um, enjoy my 0:04:17.853 --> 0:04:24.893 work and yes, I'm disabled. But I think that people 0:04:24.893 --> 0:04:32.293 forget and society forgets that there is so much to 0:04:32.333 --> 0:04:36.693 an individual that makes up who they are. And one 0:04:36.693 --> 0:04:39.673 part of me is very much that I am a 0:04:39.673 --> 0:04:45.193 disabled woman, but there are so many other bits to me, um, 0:04:45.233 --> 0:04:49.113 that help me form my opinions on the world around 0:04:49.113 --> 0:04:52.513 us and help me and and and have made me 0:04:52.553 --> 0:04:56.153 who I am. I think that's the biggest misconception that 0:04:56.153 --> 0:04:59.673 we are quite often put into a lane. 0:05:00.233 --> 0:05:03.513 What's your perspective on the way people with people living 0:05:03.513 --> 0:05:10.033 with disabilities or neurodiversity are represented in the mainstream media? 0:05:10.353 --> 0:05:14.073 We still have a way to go in the way 0:05:14.073 --> 0:05:16.873 that we portray people with a disability. I think we 0:05:16.913 --> 0:05:22.993 are still portrayed as weaker, as more needy, as, um, 0:05:23.393 --> 0:05:29.073 needing more than your average person in terms of the workplace. Um, 0:05:29.273 --> 0:05:32.873 and generally just as sick. Um, that couldn't be further 0:05:32.873 --> 0:05:35.793 from the truth in my experience of all the wonderful 0:05:35.793 --> 0:05:41.623 people with a disability that my friends, my colleagues, my community. Um, 0:05:41.823 --> 0:05:45.663 we have to be more resilient. We have to go 0:05:45.663 --> 0:05:51.383 over and above the average person to work. To, um, 0:05:52.303 --> 0:05:56.823 to be listened to, uh, and to go about our 0:05:56.823 --> 0:06:01.303 daily lives. I think that people with a disability in 0:06:01.303 --> 0:06:05.303 the workplace, especially, um, have to go over and above. 0:06:05.423 --> 0:06:07.463 It's one of the reasons I ran for Parliament in 0:06:07.463 --> 0:06:09.863 the beginning. I was not expected to win the seat 0:06:09.863 --> 0:06:15.783 of Dickson, but I wanted people to see, um, a 0:06:15.783 --> 0:06:21.103 woman with a disability as a potential politician, as a 0:06:21.143 --> 0:06:29.463 candidate who was strong, who was resilient, who was incredibly 0:06:29.463 --> 0:06:33.223 hard working, but at the same time had gone through 0:06:33.463 --> 0:06:38.403 a lot of trauma, including PTSD, and had gone years 0:06:38.403 --> 0:06:43.123 and years of surgery and struggle. Just because you have 0:06:43.123 --> 0:06:48.443 a disability and you have gone through struggle. Mental health issues, um, 0:06:48.563 --> 0:06:52.283 and physical disability does not mean that you are not 0:06:52.283 --> 0:06:57.043 strong and resilient and capable. And that was one of 0:06:57.043 --> 0:06:59.483 the things when I, when I was deciding whether I 0:06:59.483 --> 0:07:02.163 was going to become a candidate, that that was the 0:07:02.163 --> 0:07:03.603 thing I wanted to show people. 0:07:05.203 --> 0:07:09.963 It's really fantastic to hear from someone like Ali, who's, 0:07:10.003 --> 0:07:14.443 far as I can tell, only one of two parliamentarians, uh, 0:07:14.443 --> 0:07:19.883 that have a visible or known known disability within the 0:07:19.923 --> 0:07:27.643 227 parliamentarians and senators that are at Parliament House in Canberra. Um, 0:07:27.803 --> 0:07:30.523 now I just want to make this little point here 0:07:30.603 --> 0:07:35.983 that language is so important. Language is so important, and 0:07:36.383 --> 0:07:41.783 as an individual, we can describe ourselves. We can speak 0:07:41.823 --> 0:07:45.263 out about ourselves however we choose. We can use whichever 0:07:45.263 --> 0:07:48.783 language we feel best with. And even if that might 0:07:48.783 --> 0:07:52.503 sound odd or even horrible to other people. Um, I 0:07:52.503 --> 0:07:56.423 just wanted to pick up on something that Ellie said there. 0:07:56.463 --> 0:08:00.183 As she was saying within the interview there, and she 0:08:00.183 --> 0:08:03.863 was describing himself and all the different roles that she 0:08:03.863 --> 0:08:07.783 has won. She's a parliamentarian, a politician too. She's a 0:08:07.783 --> 0:08:10.303 mum and she has all these other interests as well. 0:08:10.303 --> 0:08:15.903 And she described herself as I am disabled. Now, that 0:08:15.903 --> 0:08:20.783 caught my ear because in some ways that is actually 0:08:21.423 --> 0:08:24.023 goes against the grain of what she was trying to say, 0:08:24.023 --> 0:08:29.063 which is she is trying to avoid labels. She is 0:08:29.063 --> 0:08:35.122 trying to avoid being defined by her disability. The softer 0:08:35.963 --> 0:08:40.642 approach would to be, say, I am a person with 0:08:40.643 --> 0:08:45.683 a disability or I have a disability. Saying I am 0:08:46.403 --> 0:08:49.723 is the defining label. So it is interesting, these little 0:08:49.723 --> 0:08:53.003 subtle things and it makes no difference, no difference at all. 0:08:53.003 --> 0:08:56.002 And as I said at the start of this little bit, um, 0:08:56.923 --> 0:08:59.362 Ellie can describe herself however she chooses. 0:09:01.243 --> 0:09:04.083 What do you think the government can do to alter 0:09:04.083 --> 0:09:07.323 to or to help alter the perception of people living 0:09:07.323 --> 0:09:10.723 with a disability within the arts and media? Can the 0:09:10.723 --> 0:09:14.203 government do something to help with altering this misconception and 0:09:14.203 --> 0:09:15.763 misunderstanding of it, of them? 0:09:15.803 --> 0:09:18.243 Yeah, I think I see it as one of my 0:09:18.243 --> 0:09:22.723 jobs to alter this misconception. Um, and I do it 0:09:22.723 --> 0:09:27.603 every day in, in doing this job. Um, but also 0:09:27.643 --> 0:09:31.283 I think in altering this misconception, it's on the public 0:09:31.423 --> 0:09:34.663 as well to identify it and to call it out. 0:09:34.663 --> 0:09:37.663 And I think that I do it as much as possible, 0:09:37.663 --> 0:09:42.343 but I, I can't make change alone. I think the 0:09:42.343 --> 0:09:46.743 disability has been railing disability community has been railing against, 0:09:47.223 --> 0:09:50.943 you know, these misconceptions, you know, for decades and decades 0:09:50.943 --> 0:09:55.783 and decades. Um, we seem to be going at a 0:09:55.783 --> 0:09:59.783 much slower pace in trying to overcome them. And when 0:09:59.783 --> 0:10:03.263 you compare other movements who have tried to, you know, 0:10:03.303 --> 0:10:06.862 change misconceptions, like in terms of women in the workforce, 0:10:06.903 --> 0:10:12.303 in terms of the LGBTI community. Um, and we, we 0:10:12.343 --> 0:10:16.903 need to be more focused on, um, particularly in employment. 0:10:16.903 --> 0:10:20.863 I think this is where we can really change perception 0:10:20.863 --> 0:10:24.503 is employment. Um, I've always said, you know, there's this 0:10:24.823 --> 0:10:31.203 people without a disability, um, they seem to not clock 0:10:31.403 --> 0:10:35.643 the fact that we as a group of people have 0:10:35.643 --> 0:10:39.003 really been denied the right to prosper in terms of employment. 0:10:39.403 --> 0:10:42.803 We all want to prosper. The right to have meaningful 0:10:42.803 --> 0:10:47.843 work and work that we enjoy is, is something that 0:10:49.563 --> 0:10:55.363 society in general, um, has quite honestly dismissed. I mean, 0:10:55.603 --> 0:10:58.843 I have, I've had my own issues with employment when 0:10:58.843 --> 0:11:01.563 I've been in my chair for long periods of time. 0:11:02.203 --> 0:11:04.843 And the way that people view me in comparison to 0:11:04.883 --> 0:11:07.363 when I've been able to get out of my chair 0:11:07.403 --> 0:11:13.563 is completely different. Um, and it is still pervasive in workplaces. 0:11:13.723 --> 0:11:16.003 I think that, um, this is something that I am 0:11:16.003 --> 0:11:20.163 really passionate about, and I want everybody to have the 0:11:20.163 --> 0:11:23.323 opportunity to have meaningful work and have the opportunity to 0:11:23.363 --> 0:11:26.843 prosper and not live in poverty. Nobody with a disability 0:11:26.883 --> 0:11:30.143 wants to be to be living in poverty. But we 0:11:30.183 --> 0:11:33.303 are kept there because we are denied the right to 0:11:33.343 --> 0:11:38.063 be gainfully employed. Um, I think the employment is the 0:11:38.063 --> 0:11:41.623 key to changing the media perception and the key to 0:11:41.663 --> 0:11:45.343 changing the narrative in terms of how people view us. 0:11:45.783 --> 0:11:48.103 Thank you so much. Aly France, and thank you so 0:11:48.103 --> 0:11:52.503 much for joining me for this pretty long con conversation. 0:11:52.503 --> 0:11:56.463 Long interview. I think we'll wrap it up here. This is, um, 0:11:56.463 --> 0:12:02.863 Joe Teagle interviewing Aly France, the Labour MP for um 0:12:03.223 --> 0:12:06.423 but Dixon. Dixon. Yes. A shout out to all the 0:12:06.423 --> 0:12:08.983 people in Dixon. Thank you so much for joining me, 0:12:09.023 --> 0:12:09.823 Aly France. 0:12:12.383 --> 0:12:16.143 It was really fantastic to hear Joe talking to Ellie 0:12:16.143 --> 0:12:19.463 just there. And, uh, just a bit of background about 0:12:19.503 --> 0:12:23.983 Ellie France. She won in the 2025 election to win 0:12:24.023 --> 0:12:27.623 the seat of Dixon, which is a seat in Queensland. 0:12:27.923 --> 0:12:34.003 and she defeated the then opposition leader, renowned politician Peter Dutton. 0:12:34.123 --> 0:12:38.763 Peter Dutton held that seat for 25 years. It's always 0:12:38.763 --> 0:12:43.203 been a Liberal stronghold and it was really fabulous to 0:12:43.243 --> 0:12:46.643 see Ali do that now. Ali broke ground in several 0:12:46.643 --> 0:12:49.923 ways by winning that seat. She was the first woman 0:12:49.923 --> 0:12:55.723 to oust a sitting opposition leader in that really well-known 0:12:55.763 --> 0:12:59.643 seat of Dickson there in Queensland. And a woman with 0:12:59.643 --> 0:13:03.803 a disability. Yes. So well done to Ali France and 0:13:03.803 --> 0:13:06.443 well done to Joe Tickle for such a fabulous interview. 0:13:09.403 --> 0:13:12.803 Coming up for us now is a really wonderful conversation 0:13:12.803 --> 0:13:17.163 that Ben David, a reporter from Dada Radio, has with 0:13:17.163 --> 0:13:22.083 staff member of Parliament House there in Canberra, Angus Jolly. 0:13:22.363 --> 0:13:25.563 And within this interview you can. You will hear that 0:13:25.563 --> 0:13:29.903 Angus describes himself as having a serious illness, which. Then 0:13:29.943 --> 0:13:33.903 Ben elaborates and asks if he sees that being a 0:13:33.943 --> 0:13:36.663 hidden disability. I took note of this, and I found 0:13:36.663 --> 0:13:40.303 this interesting considering we have been talking about hidden disabilities 0:13:40.303 --> 0:13:43.263 over recent times here on In Plain Sight. 0:13:45.903 --> 0:13:48.623 Ben. Here. We're here with Angus Jolley. 0:13:48.783 --> 0:13:49.263 Hello. 0:13:49.543 --> 0:13:50.863 Thank you for joining us, Angus. 0:13:50.943 --> 0:13:52.503 My pleasure. Thank you for having me. 0:13:52.543 --> 0:13:53.943 Can you tell me a little bit about your role 0:13:53.943 --> 0:13:55.103 here at Parliament House? 0:13:55.503 --> 0:13:59.303 Ah, so I'm a communications officer with the Department of 0:13:59.303 --> 0:14:03.783 Parliamentary Services. And basically I'm part of a team and 0:14:03.783 --> 0:14:06.543 we handle the communication side of things. 0:14:06.983 --> 0:14:10.583 Do you think the Parliament is accessible enough to people 0:14:10.583 --> 0:14:11.463 with disability? 0:14:12.423 --> 0:14:17.303 So that's actually something that has recently been reviewed. There 0:14:17.303 --> 0:14:23.183 was the dignified access review that was conducted in 2023 0:14:23.223 --> 0:14:27.883 with the Australian Disability network. And actually the network that 0:14:27.883 --> 0:14:32.323 I'm co-chair of, the Accessibility Network played a large part 0:14:32.323 --> 0:14:36.843 in going through Parliament House. And from that review, there's 0:14:36.883 --> 0:14:42.363 actually been changes made to Parliament House. Um, everything and 0:14:42.403 --> 0:14:47.363 also aspects surrounding Parliament House. So things like updating the 0:14:47.363 --> 0:14:52.163 language on the website, for example. There's also been more 0:14:52.163 --> 0:14:56.203 information about accessibility of different areas within the building that's 0:14:56.203 --> 0:15:00.803 been put up on the website and also even through 0:15:00.803 --> 0:15:05.883 to small things like changing the signs within Australian Parliament House. 0:15:06.403 --> 0:15:10.603 So changing them from a gloss laminate finish through to 0:15:10.643 --> 0:15:14.243 a matte laminate finish. So that means that there's less 0:15:14.243 --> 0:15:17.683 light that's being reflected. So making them easier to read. 0:15:17.683 --> 0:15:20.843 So both big and small things have been done. 0:15:22.363 --> 0:15:24.953 What do you think Parliament could learn from people with 0:15:24.953 --> 0:15:26.553 lived experience or disability. 0:15:27.953 --> 0:15:31.753 Look, I think everyone can learn from people with lived 0:15:31.753 --> 0:15:35.913 experience of disability. We're the ones who have to live 0:15:35.913 --> 0:15:41.233 in our own bodies that there's either restrictions or limitations. 0:15:41.593 --> 0:15:44.433 That's how I, um, how not so much how I 0:15:44.433 --> 0:15:48.113 view myself. But I do view that there are certain 0:15:48.113 --> 0:15:52.433 limitations for myself. So I've got a chronic medical condition 0:15:52.433 --> 0:15:56.753 called lymphedema. I don't know if, uh, something that, you know, 0:15:56.753 --> 0:16:00.433 but for listeners, uh, that is when the lymphatic system 0:16:00.433 --> 0:16:04.473 doesn't drain properly, leading to fluid retention and swelling of 0:16:04.473 --> 0:16:08.153 the affected area of the body. Uh, and for myself, 0:16:08.153 --> 0:16:11.353 I'm limited in how long I can stand, um, where 0:16:11.353 --> 0:16:14.793 I can sit, how I can sit, uh, and so, 0:16:15.193 --> 0:16:20.233 and people don't always recognize that or understand that. So 0:16:20.673 --> 0:16:23.733 that is something that I have to share. That's something 0:16:23.733 --> 0:16:25.293 I have to educate people on. 0:16:25.373 --> 0:16:26.773 Definitely a hidden disability. 0:16:26.813 --> 0:16:31.653 I'd say yes, definitely. And because of my experiences, because 0:16:31.653 --> 0:16:33.413 of what I have to deal with on a day 0:16:33.413 --> 0:16:38.133 to day basis, um, that is something that other people 0:16:38.133 --> 0:16:41.333 may not necessarily know about or understand or they may 0:16:41.333 --> 0:16:43.693 look and think, why has he got his leg up 0:16:43.693 --> 0:16:46.213 on a random chair? Or why has he brought out 0:16:46.213 --> 0:16:49.013 this weird collapsible little stool thing that he's got? What's 0:16:49.013 --> 0:16:51.813 he does he, uh, like to just put his leg 0:16:51.813 --> 0:16:55.213 up everywhere? Um, and that's not the case. The case 0:16:55.253 --> 0:16:58.293 is that I've got a medical condition. 0:16:58.293 --> 0:17:01.613 What's your vision for a more equitable and accessible Australia? 0:17:03.213 --> 0:17:07.893 Um, for me, it would be designing things with accessibility 0:17:07.893 --> 0:17:12.493 in mind first and foremost. So putting in plenty of 0:17:12.493 --> 0:17:17.572 ramps that are user friendly. And that doesn't just benefit someone, 0:17:17.613 --> 0:17:20.653 for example, who's in a wheelchair that would benefit, uh, 0:17:20.653 --> 0:17:24.072 mum with maybe 1 or 2 kids in a pram, 0:17:24.072 --> 0:17:27.833 for example, who's trying to push a pram that's laden 0:17:27.832 --> 0:17:32.352 down with, um, spare changes of clothes, nappies, all of 0:17:32.353 --> 0:17:37.993 these sorts of things. Um, a rail for example, that 0:17:37.993 --> 0:17:42.873 would help someone who is, who's got vision impairment and 0:17:42.873 --> 0:17:46.152 that would help them kind of take part in knowing 0:17:46.193 --> 0:17:49.192 what it is that's going on around them. There's a 0:17:49.592 --> 0:17:53.872 fantastic example of that. I believe it's up on Black 0:17:53.872 --> 0:17:57.633 Mountain or Mount Ainslie, one of the mountains here in Canberra, 0:17:57.953 --> 0:18:02.472 and it's got a um, it's in Braille I think, 0:18:02.513 --> 0:18:06.353 and it's basically describing the scenery that you would see 0:18:06.673 --> 0:18:09.153 from the top of the mountain out. So I think 0:18:09.392 --> 0:18:13.113 designing things with accessibility in mind, first and foremost is 0:18:13.513 --> 0:18:15.753 definitely something that needs to be considered. 0:18:15.792 --> 0:18:18.872 Yeah, I think it's important in the arts world as well. Um, 0:18:19.153 --> 0:18:22.412 that it's something that is thought about from the ground up. 0:18:22.453 --> 0:18:25.973 That's actually something that the arts team here at Parliament 0:18:25.973 --> 0:18:29.652 House do really well. They've got quite a number of 0:18:30.332 --> 0:18:34.173 things designed with accessibility in mind. First and foremost, the 0:18:34.173 --> 0:18:38.413 Magna Carta exhibition, for example. That was done with accessibility 0:18:38.413 --> 0:18:39.853 in mind. First and foremost. 0:18:40.493 --> 0:18:42.773 Thank you so much for joining us here, and it's 0:18:42.773 --> 0:18:44.493 been a pleasure to have a chat to you. 0:18:44.532 --> 0:18:46.013 My pleasure. Thank you very much. 0:18:46.052 --> 0:18:46.813 Thank you so much. 0:18:49.292 --> 0:18:52.212 I'm Simon, and this week on In Plain Sight, we 0:18:52.253 --> 0:19:00.332 are hearing from data radio reporters speaking to people, uh, 0:19:00.733 --> 0:19:07.612 in Parliament House, a politician and staff members at Parliament 0:19:07.612 --> 0:19:13.532 House in Canberra. All about disability. Disability representation. What could 0:19:13.532 --> 0:19:17.372 be done better to assist people with disabilities not only 0:19:17.693 --> 0:19:20.913 in the That situation that they are in in Canberra, 0:19:20.913 --> 0:19:25.032 but within society in general. And also given that data 0:19:25.032 --> 0:19:30.872 DADAA is an arts organization, how people with disabilities can 0:19:30.872 --> 0:19:33.993 be better represented not only within the arts but with 0:19:34.032 --> 0:19:39.513 media organizations in itself. So yes, back to the people 0:19:40.753 --> 0:19:47.112 from data radio. Coming up for us now is another 0:19:47.112 --> 0:19:51.473 interview with Joe Tekle, and he is speaking to Senator 0:19:51.473 --> 0:19:56.313 Jordon Steele-john. Senator Steele-john is from Western Australia, Senator for 0:19:56.312 --> 0:20:00.473 Western Australia, well known disability advocate, well known advocate in 0:20:00.473 --> 0:20:05.032 many aspects for the Greens Party. Uh, an outspoken person 0:20:05.032 --> 0:20:08.513 that likes to stand up for the things he is 0:20:08.513 --> 0:20:09.433 passionate about. 0:20:11.993 --> 0:20:14.552 So, um, yeah, we're just going to get started with, uh, 0:20:14.592 --> 0:20:17.792 this nice little interview and we can just, um, you know, 0:20:17.892 --> 0:20:19.173 see where the crow takes us? 0:20:19.213 --> 0:20:20.253 Yes. Yes, yes. 0:20:20.572 --> 0:20:24.253 Okay. Um, what drew you to become a politician? 0:20:25.253 --> 0:20:28.693 What drew me to become a politician? In some ways. 0:20:29.413 --> 0:20:33.812 What drew me to politics is everybody in this room today, 0:20:34.173 --> 0:20:40.532 like I am proudly a disabled person. And, uh, when 0:20:40.532 --> 0:20:43.933 I decided to, to get involved, one of the things 0:20:43.933 --> 0:20:49.093 that pushed me to do that was the realization that 0:20:49.733 --> 0:20:57.013 so much that government does, uh, affects disabled people, and 0:20:57.013 --> 0:21:01.893 yet there weren't many disabled people actually involved in that 0:21:01.892 --> 0:21:05.092 decision making at the political level. Um, and I thought 0:21:05.092 --> 0:21:09.733 that was a big part of why there were bad 0:21:09.733 --> 0:21:13.013 decisions being made. Um, you know, in terms of what 0:21:13.013 --> 0:21:16.332 affects the lives of disabled people. So yeah, one answer 0:21:16.332 --> 0:21:18.073 and there's many I could give to that. But one 0:21:18.072 --> 0:21:23.152 answer is because, um, yeah, I saw a kind of a, 0:21:23.433 --> 0:21:30.713 a massive space, um, where lived experience like representation should be. Um, 0:21:30.832 --> 0:21:34.673 and then you go, oh, wow, okay, somebody's got to 0:21:34.713 --> 0:21:37.472 fill it. Ah, that's scary. But then you kind of 0:21:37.513 --> 0:21:39.153 push yourself and do it. 0:21:39.433 --> 0:21:44.273 What's your vision for a more equitable and accessible Australia? 0:21:45.273 --> 0:21:51.513 An equitable and accessible Australia? Um, well, my vision is 0:21:51.713 --> 0:21:57.792 for an inclusive and accessible Australia that is free of ableism. Um, 0:21:57.953 --> 0:22:02.312 you know, where discrimination is eliminated, where, where the barriers 0:22:02.312 --> 0:22:07.552 it has created are actively sought out by government, um, 0:22:07.552 --> 0:22:12.832 and by community together kind of wielding the, the, the 0:22:12.872 --> 0:22:20.812 collective sword against this monstrous thing that has taken over 0:22:20.812 --> 0:22:25.893 so many parts of our. Uh, bureaucratic processes, our system 0:22:25.892 --> 0:22:28.132 designs and our attitudes. 0:22:28.132 --> 0:22:32.412 What employment pathways can the arts and creative industries provide 0:22:32.413 --> 0:22:36.612 for people living with a disability or neurodiversity? And how 0:22:36.612 --> 0:22:40.413 can these be genuine and sustainable? In other words, how 0:22:40.413 --> 0:22:45.013 can they be long term consistent? Um, you know, money earning, 0:22:45.933 --> 0:22:46.412 you know. 0:22:46.812 --> 0:22:51.413 Jobs with good government funding, um, with consistent government funding 0:22:51.413 --> 0:22:54.733 that runs beyond the kind of 1 to 3 year 0:22:54.733 --> 0:22:57.692 cycle that we often see in government grant processes. You know, 0:22:57.733 --> 0:23:00.133 we need to look at 5 to 10 years so 0:23:00.132 --> 0:23:04.093 that there can be certainty and clarity, but also by 0:23:04.132 --> 0:23:10.373 working with, uh, spaces like film, uh, particularly, and, uh, 0:23:10.413 --> 0:23:14.552 video game design offers some wonderful examples as well as theatre. 0:23:14.592 --> 0:23:18.312 Many of the other, uh, creative kind of spaces to 0:23:18.352 --> 0:23:25.273 ensure that there are the avenues and pathways for disabled creatives, um, to, 0:23:25.312 --> 0:23:29.072 to rise and to succeed. Um, so it's government funding 0:23:29.632 --> 0:23:33.233 and also proactive collaboration with those spaces. 0:23:33.233 --> 0:23:37.273 I think what role can disability led broadcasting play in 0:23:37.273 --> 0:23:43.232 improving representation, wellbeing and democratic participation? Sorry, I thought I 0:23:43.233 --> 0:23:43.792 read that already. 0:23:43.832 --> 0:23:45.672 I think it can help because first of all, it 0:23:45.673 --> 0:23:48.753 can give people their, you know, their opportunity to get 0:23:48.792 --> 0:23:53.433 the experience, the professional rung on the board. Um, beyond 0:23:53.433 --> 0:23:58.072 that though, disabled people in all areas of broadcasting, uh, 0:23:58.112 --> 0:24:03.752 and news comes to mind, particularly, we've got incredible disabled journalists, uh, 0:24:03.753 --> 0:24:06.352 here in Australia, we've got one with us, uh, in 0:24:06.392 --> 0:24:09.872 the audience today. And that only not, not only means 0:24:09.872 --> 0:24:14.423 that we have, uh, representation and opportunity. We also get 0:24:14.423 --> 0:24:18.782 better stories to get better stories in disabled people writing 0:24:18.782 --> 0:24:24.463 about the NDIS or about discrimination in aviation or, you know, whatever. 0:24:24.622 --> 0:24:28.263 It will always be stronger and more rigorous and more 0:24:28.263 --> 0:24:32.342 evocative if it is the disabled person, you know, telling 0:24:32.342 --> 0:24:33.023 the story. 0:24:33.183 --> 0:24:35.982 How would you like to see people with disabilities portrayed 0:24:35.983 --> 0:24:36.942 in the media? 0:24:39.183 --> 0:24:47.142 As complex. Human beings in all of in all of 0:24:47.183 --> 0:24:52.822 the roles and aspects of of our humanity. I want 0:24:52.822 --> 0:24:58.222 to see disabled actors telling disabled stories about disabled people 0:24:58.223 --> 0:25:03.822 who are brave and bold, but are also. And manipulative. 0:25:03.862 --> 0:25:04.263 And. 0:25:05.102 --> 0:25:11.842 Yes, and funny and kind and hot and you know, 0:25:11.882 --> 0:25:17.562 like all of all of the we need complexity and 0:25:17.562 --> 0:25:23.763 diversity and humanity in disabled representation. Um, so that our 0:25:23.763 --> 0:25:31.322 community can see ourselves reflected in that, uh, experience. You 0:25:31.362 --> 0:25:35.562 can't be what you can't see. And that is well known, 0:25:35.562 --> 0:25:40.763 but also it helps you to feel and think and 0:25:40.763 --> 0:25:46.963 consider if you can follow the story of somebody feeling, thinking, considering, um, 0:25:47.163 --> 0:25:48.883 the complexities of human life. 0:25:49.882 --> 0:25:53.003 I think that's a wonderful answer to finish off our interview. 0:25:53.003 --> 0:25:55.203 Thank you so much for taking the time to join 0:25:55.203 --> 0:25:55.523 me here. 0:25:55.683 --> 0:25:56.202 Thank you so much. 0:25:56.203 --> 0:25:56.603 Thank you so. 0:25:56.602 --> 0:25:58.922 Much. Thank you. Thank you all. 0:26:01.802 --> 0:26:05.562 So I'd like to thank everybody at data, most particularly 0:26:05.602 --> 0:26:08.883 Dennis Collins, for his time and his assistance and being 0:26:08.882 --> 0:26:11.943 my mentor and being the mentor of these other people 0:26:11.943 --> 0:26:15.423 here at Dada as well. I'd like to thank Joe 0:26:15.423 --> 0:26:19.503 and Ben for, um, their great work there in Canberra. 0:26:19.743 --> 0:26:22.342 And I just wanted to remind people, if you are 0:26:22.342 --> 0:26:26.863 interested in what you're hearing from these folks at Dada Radio, 0:26:26.903 --> 0:26:29.782 check out Dada Radio online. And if you're listening to 0:26:30.223 --> 0:26:34.743 my podcast, you can check out Dada Radio online. If 0:26:34.743 --> 0:26:37.743 you are listening to this podcast, I will leave the 0:26:39.062 --> 0:26:41.623 details of how to find D, A, D, a, a 0:26:42.703 --> 0:26:47.943 data and data radio on the podcast show notes in 0:26:47.943 --> 0:26:53.822 description notes there. Um, otherwise just look up DADAA online 0:26:53.822 --> 0:26:55.782 and you will find everything you need to know about that. 0:26:55.782 --> 0:26:59.023 And if you are in Western Australia, um, and there 0:26:59.023 --> 0:27:03.823 are similar organisations arts access and other places within Australia too. 0:27:04.023 --> 0:27:07.862 I highly recommend getting involved in these types of programs 0:27:07.862 --> 0:27:10.243 if you have any interest in the arts at all, 0:27:10.362 --> 0:27:13.243 or if, like Ben and Joe, you would like to 0:27:13.243 --> 0:27:16.563 try your hand at being on radio. Not only here 0:27:16.562 --> 0:27:19.642 at Vision Australia Radio, but on Dada radio as well. 0:27:20.003 --> 0:27:22.923 Get involved. Give it a go and best of luck 0:27:22.923 --> 0:27:26.362 to you. So that's all we have time for this 0:27:26.362 --> 0:27:29.603 week on In Plain Sight on Vision Australia Radio. I 0:27:29.602 --> 0:27:31.923 do hope you join us again some other time and 0:27:31.923 --> 0:27:34.963 until then speak to you then. Bye for now. Cheers. 0:27:37.923 --> 0:27:40.922 It concludes in plain sight for this week. Join us 0:27:40.923 --> 0:27:44.082 at the same time next week on Vision Australia Radio 0:27:44.362 --> 0:27:49.203 via Radio Digital and online at v radio.org. You can 0:27:49.203 --> 0:27:52.643 also listen on demand by searching for In Plain Sight 0:27:52.642 --> 0:27:56.562 by Vision Australia Radio. Wherever you get your podcasts, or 0:27:56.562 --> 0:27:59.882 ask your smart device to play in Plain Sight by 0:27:59.882 --> 0:28:02.322 Vision Australia Radio. Thanks for listening. 0:28:02.523 --> 0:28:03.162 Thank you.