Luke is joined by Dr Peter Freckleton, who has battled polio since his childhood and is taking a stand against age discrimination.  His opponent? The National Disability Insurance Scheme a program designed to assist those with disabilities.

The issue? At the age of 65, Peter Freckleton finds himself disqualified from the very aid he has needed for a lifetime. This taxpayer funded program, aims to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities.

It provides crucial funding for therapy, equipment, and personal care. Yet, it excludes those over 65, leaving individuals like Peter with a lifelong disability, without a lifeline.

It is this age cap that Freckleton is challenging, arguing it fosters discrimination and infringes on basic human rights, by taking his fight for decency and justice to the United Nations, and their COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Australia has signed up to the Convention which makes it clear that, in Article 4(1), States Parties should undertake to ensure and promote the full realisation of all human rights for all people with disability.

It sets out Australia’s obligations to do this, including by taking all appropriate measures to modify or abolish laws that constitute discrimination against people with disability. Non-discrimination is a fundamental right protected under the Convention, and a core concept that appears throughout the Convention.

For advocates like Freckleton, the fight is not just about fairness and equality—it’s also a practical solution. Many older Australians with disabilities struggle to access appropriate support and services.

Eliminating the age cap could help alleviate these issues.

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