Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service

Chair of Villamanta, Zane McKenzieMcKenzie wrote to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee: "Put simply, reforms that increase isolation, reduce individual choice and control, shift unsustainable burdens onto families- and place people at greater risk cannot be considered sound policy.

The NDIS was, and is, intended to be a nation-shaping commitment to equality and inclusion. These reforms risk taking us backwards."

You can read our submission here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/NDISFutureGenBill/Submissions (it's number 277, but check out the many excellent submissions from others while you're there)

Submissions Submissions

You don't secure a safety net by cutting holes in it. You don't rush life-threatening decisions.

We call on the Federal Government to delay implementation of changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme until genuine consultation has occurred, and alternative supports can be resourced and rolled out.

Read the statement on our website: https://clcs.org.au/sector-statement-ndis-bill/

Add your organisation's sign-on: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/8pMPPBLdui

This discussion paper will form the basis for our submission to the Senate Standing Committee inquiry into the NDIS Bill 2026.

villamanta.org.au

Villamanta wholeheartedly supports this campaign to end violence in the hospitality industry. Young Workers Centre✊

Hospo venues that tolerate violence against their staff should lose their licence 608 Victorian workers told us what's really happening behind the counter, on the floor and in the kitchen. The picture is clear: this industry is failing in their duty to create safe workplaces and breaking their social contract with the community. Right now, there are no real consequences for faili...

If you missed either of our NDIS Forum & Legal Explainer sessions last week, you can watch the recordings on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/

20th May - hosted by Elise Almond (Villamanta), Kelly Wilkins (Intrepidus Law), and Trinity Ford (Intrepidus Law)

https://youtu.be/8oj08_9-koE?si=SNoh-EtOOsFTDM1y

22nd May - hosted by Victor Korng, (Villamanta), Willam Ward-Boas (VALID), and Kirstie Shaw

https://youtu.be/4Vrtk_mBqYA

Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

A reminder that this session is on at 4pm today. Come join us for an excellent conversation with peer advocates.

Additional Session!

Join the NDIS Bill Community Forum!

This Legal Explainer session will be hosted by Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service.

Come along if you want to understand what has been written in the NDIS Bill, share your thoughts about the changes and hear what others in the disability community are thinking.

Speakers:

Victor Korng, Deaf lawyer - Villamanta (He/Him)

William Ward-Boas, Chair of VALID (He/She/They)

The forum will be held on Zoom.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ndis-bill-community-forum-legal-explainer-tickets-1989803813771?aff=oddtdtcreator

There will be closed captioning available. Please contact Villamanta if there is something we can do to make the event accessible for you.

The zoom link will be sent out by email 2 hours prior to the event.

Please note that this a general information session about changes to the NDIS bill and we cannot give you legal advice about your individual case.

DISCLAIMER: Submissions close Friday the 29th of May.

*Please note this session will be covering similar content to the other NDIS Bill forums we are running this week, you do not need to register for more than one*

For those members of the disability community who requested assistance to make their submission about the NDIS Bill, you can book your half hour with a law student here:

Square Booking Flow Square Bookings Flow

We are pleased to announce Kirstie Shaw has been confirmed as an additional speaker for our upcoming Community Forum tomorrow!

Kirstie Shaw is a counsellor, disability advocate, and neuroaffirming clinician currently completing a Master of Disability & Inclusion at Deakin University. With over six years’ experience in the disability sector, Kirstie works across counselling, advocacy, mentoring, and support coordination, with a strong focus on human rights, relational practice, and systemic reform.

Secure your ticket now using the Eventbrite link!
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ndis-bill-community-forum-legal-explainer-tickets-1989803813771?aff=oddtdtcreator

Additional Session!

Join the NDIS Bill Community Forum!

This Legal Explainer session will be hosted by Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service.

Come along if you want to understand what has been written in the NDIS Bill, share your thoughts about the changes and hear what others in the disability community are thinking.

Speakers:

Victor Korng, Deaf lawyer - Villamanta (He/Him)

William Ward-Boas, Chair of VALID (He/She/They)

The forum will be held on Zoom.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ndis-bill-community-forum-legal-explainer-tickets-1989803813771?aff=oddtdtcreator

There will be closed captioning available. Please contact Villamanta if there is something we can do to make the event accessible for you.

The zoom link will be sent out by email 2 hours prior to the event.

Please note that this a general information session about changes to the NDIS bill and we cannot give you legal advice about your individual case.

DISCLAIMER: Submissions close Friday the 29th of May.

*Please note this session will be covering similar content to the other NDIS Bill forums we are running this week, you do not need to register for more than one*

To celebrate Victorian Law Week 2026, Villamanta partnered with Grovedale College, Barwon Community Legal Service and Victoria Legal Aid to deliver an engaging session for Legal Studies students across the Geelong and Surf Coast region.

Students gained valuable insights into the role of Community Legal Centres and Victoria Legal Aid, as well as what a career in public interest law can involve.

A big thank you to our Board Chair, Zane McKenzie, for facilitating the panel discussion, and to Rylee, a Villamanta volunteer, who did an excellent job sharing her journey into the legal profession in a way that really resonated with students.