People with disability continue to face deep and systemic economic Inequality in Australia, particularly in employment. This inequality is sustained by discriminatory wage practices, including the continued use of subminimum wages through instruments such as the Supported Wage System. These practices devalue the work and contributions of people with disability and perpetuate cycles of poverty, exclusion, and economic dependence.
Wage justice is a human rights imperative. No person should be paid less than the national minimum wage, regardless of their disability. The ACT Government has a responsibility, as a human rights jurisdiction, to lead by example and ensure that all public money whether through direct contracts or social procurement is used to support fair and equitable treatment of workers, in particular workers with disability.