SENATOR THE HON ANNE RUSTON

SHADOW MINISTER FOR DISABILITY AND THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME

PHILLIP THOMPSON OAM MP

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE NDIS

MEDIA RELEASE

25 July 2025

DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT CLOSURE DEEPLY CONCERNING

The Coalition is deeply concerned by the impacts of the closure of South Australian disability employment provider Bedford on South Australians living with a disability.

Bedford is our country's second largest employer of people living with a disability, and its closure would result in distress and uncertainty for the 1,400 South Australians it currently employees.

Shadow Minister for Disability and the NDIS, Senator Anne Ruston called on the Government to outline plans for ongoing support and employment services for those impacted by this concerning situation.

"The Albanese Government must outline what steps it is taking to ensure that the South Australians living with a disability who currently rely on this service are not left in the lurch," Senator Ruston said.

"The Government must handle this situation better than its recent actions to provide disability providers with only two weeks notice of recent NDIS pricing changes. They must start prioritising the needs of Australians living with a disability."

Shadow Assistant Minister for the NDIS, Phillip Thompson OAM MP said, "I am very troubled by the closure of Bedford and the devastating impact this will have on South Australians living with a disability.

"The Albanese Labor Government must urgently provide clarity on how it will ensure continued support for those affected. The livelihoods of so many people should not be treated like an inconvenient statistic by this Labor government," Mr Thompson said.

ENDS