Today in Parliament, Abigail passed a motion congratulating Family Advocacy on 35 years of dedication and commitment to defending the rights and interests of people with disability and building a genuinely inclusive, equal and safe world for all.

Abigail said:

I move: 

(1) That this House notes that:

• Family Advocacy, an independent advocacy organisation supporting people with disability and their families across NSW through individual and systemic advocacy, is celebrating its 35th anniversary; 

• founded in 1991 by a group of parents, Family Advocacy continues to be governed by families of people with disability and underpinned by the vision of families being agents of positive social change so the inherent value of people with developmental disability is recognised within a just and inclusive society; 

• for 35 years, Family Advocacy has worked with countless families to build their capacity to advocate for their family member with disability and be leaders on rights and inclusion for people with disability in their communities; 

• Family Advocacy also engages in systemic advocacy, working with and providing expert advice to governments and key decision-makers to improve legislation and policies impacting the lives of people with disability and to advocate for transformative system-wide change;

• on Friday 19 June 2026, Family Advocacy hosted “Stronger Together: Working to Shape an Inclusive Society” which brought together people with disability, families, advocates, allies, change makers and leaders for an interactive workshop focused on how families can use their voices to advocate for systemic change that is grounded in the lived experience of people with disability and their families; 

• the workshop sought to develop the capacity of families and build their confidence to effectively advocate for progressive social change through direct action and engagement with decision-makers; and

• the workshop included sessions from: 

  • parent advocates Alex Purvis and Leslie Light on how families have driven real, lasting change throughout history; 

  • Family Advocacy representatives Victoria Brookman and Leanne Varga on using lived experience to campaign for progress on inclusive education and employment, accessible and inclusive home and living, and supported decision-making; 

  • Abigail Boyd, Greens NSW MLC on how to effectively engage with members of parliament and use your voice to advocate for system change to create a more equal and inclusive world; 

  • family advocate Nadine Kelly on speaking truth to power with confidence and presenting solutions for positive change; and

  • parent advocates Yolande Cailly, Yael Frisch and Penny Graham on building a movement together.

(2) That this House congratulates Family Advocacy on its 35 years of advocacy, and commends the team at Family Advocacy for their dedication and commitment to defending the rights and interests of people with disability and building a genuinely inclusive, equal and safe world for all. 

Motion agreed to.

Read the transcript in Hansard here.

24 June 2026