Bill Shorten 2022 Wrap Up

2022, what a huge year! For me it was a year of extreme joy, pride, hard work, determination and also deep loss.
To simplify for the time of social media, I'd like to share my year with you in five photographs:

1. The NDIS grew out of the grassroots activism of the disability community, but, despite Labor legislating the Scheme in 2013, activists were still having to fight for the scheme against a decade of Liberal cuts and mismanagement. Before the election NDIS activists, including myself, came together in Melbourne to demand better for people with disability.

2. In May, I was honoured to become the Minister for the NDIS and Government Services. I've been advocating for the NDIS since I first entered parliament in 2007 and seeing it through first legislation to full fruition of its original intent (to provide the best life for people with disability) is one of my greatest political ambitions. In this photo I'm with one of the best spoken, most passionate, intelligent advocates, and my good friend Elly Desmarchelier.

3. Here’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and I meeting some guide dog puppies from Vision Australia. Australia and the world has endured some tough times in the last few years. After 10 years in the wilderness under the Liberals, it’s great to be part of the Albanese Labor Government. We have already achieved so much that will help Australians at home, at work and as a nation.

4. Kurt Fearnley is a bona fide Australian legend. Not content with being one of our great para-athletes and leaders, he is a fearless disability advocate, a devoted husband and father, and a great friend. He is also the first person with disability to chair the NDIS, something that should have happened years and years earlier.

5. Nineteen year old Tom came to see me a few weeks ago and left a big impression. He told me he wants to be “the first Minister for the NDIS with a disability.” Im here for that. The NDIS is not there just to help people get through day to day, it’s also integral to helping people with disability achieve their dreams. I can’t do my job without people with disability being at the table and I’ll always keep my door open to listen and learn.

Happy New Year and here’s to a good 2023 🎉🥳👏