With the wonderful news coming out of the Australia Day Awards, the Australian of the year awards, including an awarding of an Am to Samantha Connor for her wonderful work in the area of disability advocacy. Sam, welcome and congratulations.

With the wonderful news coming out of the Australia Day Awards, the Australian of the year awards, including an awarding of an Am to Samantha Connor for her wonderful work in the area of disability advocacy. Sam, welcome and congratulations.

Thank you so much, Peter. It's lovely to be here again and talking to you.

Thank you so much, Peter. It's lovely to be here again and talking to you.

And I am and I am.

And I am and I am.

That was a big surprise. And usually difficult. Activists who are living in poverty and disabled women don't get fancy awards. And so I was quite surprised and also very grateful for the recognition.

That was a big surprise. And usually difficult. Activists who are living in poverty and disabled women don't get fancy awards. And so I was quite surprised and also very grateful for the recognition.

Well, they're probably the people that need it most or deserve it most.

Well, they're probably the people that need it most or deserve it most.

Yeah, I think so. I think a lot of the, um, awards go to people who are people who are a little bit richer than the rest of us and a little bit more fancy, and who probably don't swear as much. And yeah, it was lovely. Lovely to be recognised by peers as well.

Yeah, I think so. I think a lot of the, um, awards go to people who are people who are a little bit richer than the rest of us and a little bit more fancy, and who probably don't swear as much. And yeah, it was lovely. Lovely to be recognised by peers as well.

I won't ask what your automatic reaction was because we might have to bleep that out.

I won't ask what your automatic reaction was because we might have to bleep that out.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

I'm always I'm always fascinated. What set you on this path? The sort of path of social justice. I wanted to do advocacy work because it can be thankless, because you've kind of hinted at already.

I'm always I'm always fascinated. What set you on this path? The sort of path of social justice. I wanted to do advocacy work because it can be thankless, because you've kind of hinted at already.

Yeah, yeah. So I think I have an innate sense of social justice because I'm autistic and we all do. You know, we have a very strong moral sense about what is right and what is wrong. And, you know, sometimes they're a little bit too black and white. But in this case, it's a good thing that, you know, we know what human rights look like and disability rights. And we have very clear blueprints about what that looks like with the uncrpd. So when I was a little kid, I was 11, and my best friend was shot in the back of the neck and became a quadriplegic and a little later on went to had to go and live in an institution and there was no funding. This is 1979. Mind you, I'm quite old. No funding, no anything. And yeah, so it was quite a wake up for me about disadvantage and what it looked like for disabled people. And I wasn't a wheelchair user until years later. Um, but yeah. So it, um, opened my eyes to what injustice looked like. And I guess that's where I started.

Yeah, yeah. So I think I have an innate sense of social justice because I'm autistic and we all do. You know, we have a very strong moral sense about what is right and what is wrong. And, you know, sometimes they're a little bit too black and white. But in this case, it's a good thing that, you know, we know what human rights look like and disability rights. And we have very clear blueprints about what that looks like with the uncrpd. So when I was a little kid, I was 11, and my best friend was shot in the back of the neck and became a quadriplegic and a little later on went to had to go and live in an institution and there was no funding. This is 1979. Mind you, I'm quite old. No funding, no anything. And yeah, so it was quite a wake up for me about disadvantage and what it looked like for disabled people. And I wasn't a wheelchair user until years later. Um, but yeah. So it, um, opened my eyes to what injustice looked like. And I guess that's where I started.

So that's, uh, you know, 40 something years ago. We've come a long way. There's a long way to go, too.

So that's, uh, you know, 40 something years ago. We've come a long way. There's a long way to go, too.

Yeah, yeah. And I think there's been some steps back along the way. Ruth. I mean, we still are working, you know, to fight against those things. But obviously the world has had some great disruptions over the last five years, and things have changed in terms of money and, you know, what our budget looks like and that kind of thing, and also people's perception around disability as well. Um, but we keep fighting for, you know, for recognition and to make sure we've always got a seat at the table.

Yeah, yeah. And I think there's been some steps back along the way. Ruth. I mean, we still are working, you know, to fight against those things. But obviously the world has had some great disruptions over the last five years, and things have changed in terms of money and, you know, what our budget looks like and that kind of thing, and also people's perception around disability as well. Um, but we keep fighting for, you know, for recognition and to make sure we've always got a seat at the table.

I know, having spoken to you for a few times as president of People with Disabilities Australia, you're meeting with politicians, you're meeting with, I was going to say high rollers. That's probably not quite right. But you know, people of influence, you know, you've got to kind of get your message across pretty quickly in meetings like that, don't you?

I know, having spoken to you for a few times as president of People with Disabilities Australia, you're meeting with politicians, you're meeting with, I was going to say high rollers. That's probably not quite right. But you know, people of influence, you know, you've got to kind of get your message across pretty quickly in meetings like that, don't you?

You do. And it's quite a knack to it really. After, you know, when you're going and talking to people of all different, um, you know, persuasions, I guess, you know, um, obviously, you know, as a disability activist. I'm a bleeding heart lefty, but you have to work with both sides of politics. But disability is a bit weird, and it's kind of good in that way that you might have, you know, lots of disabled people have got concerns about euthanasia laws. You know, that they they might not be against euthanasia, you know, but they might be against, you know, not being getting the support to live before you can get the support to die, for example, you know, so they want those issues. And so we're quite often on the side of the right wing politicians. So you know, and it really is a bit of a thing. You know, if I have a meeting with um, Malcolm Roberts and he was very deliberately inflammatory towards me and my colleagues. But, you know, I come from a small country town and, you know, you talk about small businesses and farmers and whatever, and it's really about finding the things that you have in common. And everybody has something in common with another human being. And so, yeah, we should all be able to work together.

You do. And it's quite a knack to it really. After, you know, when you're going and talking to people of all different, um, you know, persuasions, I guess, you know, um, obviously, you know, as a disability activist. I'm a bleeding heart lefty, but you have to work with both sides of politics. But disability is a bit weird, and it's kind of good in that way that you might have, you know, lots of disabled people have got concerns about euthanasia laws. You know, that they they might not be against euthanasia, you know, but they might be against, you know, not being getting the support to live before you can get the support to die, for example, you know, so they want those issues. And so we're quite often on the side of the right wing politicians. So you know, and it really is a bit of a thing. You know, if I have a meeting with um, Malcolm Roberts and he was very deliberately inflammatory towards me and my colleagues. But, you know, I come from a small country town and, you know, you talk about small businesses and farmers and whatever, and it's really about finding the things that you have in common. And everybody has something in common with another human being. And so, yeah, we should all be able to work together.

That's a great way to put it. Now, I guess, you know, because I always, you know, I often say to people, you know, people sort of say NDIS wah wah wah. I say, well, everyone is potentially but a heartbeat away from potentially having to be on it. Yeah.

That's a great way to put it. Now, I guess, you know, because I always, you know, I often say to people, you know, people sort of say NDIS wah wah wah. I say, well, everyone is potentially but a heartbeat away from potentially having to be on it. Yeah.

That's right. And if you develop a bit of a relationship with people over something before you have a war with them, you know, in the country you're quite often more likely to read, you know, to meet your neighbour when, um, I don't know, the sheep gets out or something, you know, like, rather than what? You need to borrow a chainsaw. Like it's not you don't go over and meet someone over a cup of tea and start talking about politics. And so in online spaces and political spaces, your first meeting with someone is about something really controversial, and you don't have time to build a relationship with people. But I don't know, just finding out if people have a cat is always a good start, I find. Okay, well, photos of your cat or your dog on your phone. Um, yeah.

That's right. And if you develop a bit of a relationship with people over something before you have a war with them, you know, in the country you're quite often more likely to read, you know, to meet your neighbour when, um, I don't know, the sheep gets out or something, you know, like, rather than what? You need to borrow a chainsaw. Like it's not you don't go over and meet someone over a cup of tea and start talking about politics. And so in online spaces and political spaces, your first meeting with someone is about something really controversial, and you don't have time to build a relationship with people. But I don't know, just finding out if people have a cat is always a good start, I find. Okay, well, photos of your cat or your dog on your phone. Um, yeah.

Well, they make a connection.

Well, they make a connection.

Yeah, yeah. So yeah. And, you know, even even though we say to people, look, you could have a child with a disability, you could break your neck, you could be an NDIS participant at any time. People. I think they really need that connection before that so that they'll listen to you because, um. And know that you're a reasonable and decent human being, so you can have the conversation in the first place. Does that make sense?

Yeah, yeah. So yeah. And, you know, even even though we say to people, look, you could have a child with a disability, you could break your neck, you could be an NDIS participant at any time. People. I think they really need that connection before that so that they'll listen to you because, um. And know that you're a reasonable and decent human being, so you can have the conversation in the first place. Does that make sense?

Sure. So what about coming up, uh, early, early in March. We've got, uh, International Women's Day. Have you got some thoughts about that? Because I've spoken to some women who kind of think it's still or it is even more tokenistic than ever, in a sense, and they kind of don't want much to do with it. Yeah.

Sure. So what about coming up, uh, early, early in March. We've got, uh, International Women's Day. Have you got some thoughts about that? Because I've spoken to some women who kind of think it's still or it is even more tokenistic than ever, in a sense, and they kind of don't want much to do with it. Yeah.

And I kind of, um. Look, I don't boycott it. Um, I don't go to International Women's Day events because a lot of the issues that they're lobbying around, you know, disabled people, disabled women face so much more disadvantage, you know. And so when we talk about the rates of violence, the unemployment rates, the glass ceiling issues, you know, so we're talking about the glass ceiling issues and, um, things about merit based employment. And it's still legal to pay women with disabilities two bucks an hour in Australia. So one of the Royal Commission recommendations was that it should be raised to the minimum wage of every other Australian, and the Australian government have come back and have said, oh, we'll make it half the minimum wage. So that's still legal today in 2025, that I can go and be employed down the road in a sheltered workshop and get two bucks an hour. So sitting at those tables with other women, especially white women and privileged women, you know, for Aboriginal women as well, it's the same deal we find that we we have deeper and bigger issues, and the things that they're talking about quite often are kind of, you know, sexism lite or, you know, so it's and it's a little bit difficult because when you talk about it in women's spaces, they say, well, that's not an issue around women, that's an issue around disability. But it's not, you know, so it's a really tricky thing to try and navigate those spaces.

And I kind of, um. Look, I don't boycott it. Um, I don't go to International Women's Day events because a lot of the issues that they're lobbying around, you know, disabled people, disabled women face so much more disadvantage, you know. And so when we talk about the rates of violence, the unemployment rates, the glass ceiling issues, you know, so we're talking about the glass ceiling issues and, um, things about merit based employment. And it's still legal to pay women with disabilities two bucks an hour in Australia. So one of the Royal Commission recommendations was that it should be raised to the minimum wage of every other Australian, and the Australian government have come back and have said, oh, we'll make it half the minimum wage. So that's still legal today in 2025, that I can go and be employed down the road in a sheltered workshop and get two bucks an hour. So sitting at those tables with other women, especially white women and privileged women, you know, for Aboriginal women as well, it's the same deal we find that we we have deeper and bigger issues, and the things that they're talking about quite often are kind of, you know, sexism lite or, you know, so it's and it's a little bit difficult because when you talk about it in women's spaces, they say, well, that's not an issue around women, that's an issue around disability. But it's not, you know, so it's a really tricky thing to try and navigate those spaces.

Well that's, that's that's very deep isn't it. And we haven't got enough time to kind of pursue that further. But that that is quite an incredible way of looking at it.

Well that's, that's that's very deep isn't it. And we haven't got enough time to kind of pursue that further. But that that is quite an incredible way of looking at it.

Uh, the last time I went to one, they said, um, there's a door prize and if you reach under your chair, you'll be able to pull out an envelope. And if it's got this golden ticket in, then you'll get the door prize. And of course, I was sitting in a wheelchair, so I cracked up laughing. And I thought, this is such a good analogy. Yeah, we left out.

Uh, the last time I went to one, they said, um, there's a door prize and if you reach under your chair, you'll be able to pull out an envelope. And if it's got this golden ticket in, then you'll get the door prize. And of course, I was sitting in a wheelchair, so I cracked up laughing. And I thought, this is such a good analogy. Yeah, we left out.

Yeah, yeah. Like, yeah. Totally innocent, but still very, very powerful. The mistake that they made. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah. Like, yeah. Totally innocent, but still very, very powerful. The mistake that they made. Yeah.

It was just funny. But, um, I thought, look, this is a waste of time. I'd much rather be in a space where, you know, we can make real change for women, but I think it's about making sure that people do literally have the same opportunities that people that women with disabilities do. Um, have a seat at the table. Uh, one of our elders, Glenda Lee, died on Saturday. Um, great loss to our community. And, um, you know, my International Women's Day is going to be making as much noise and as many DDA complaints and making as much trouble as I can in honour of Glenda.

It was just funny. But, um, I thought, look, this is a waste of time. I'd much rather be in a space where, you know, we can make real change for women, but I think it's about making sure that people do literally have the same opportunities that people that women with disabilities do. Um, have a seat at the table. Uh, one of our elders, Glenda Lee, died on Saturday. Um, great loss to our community. And, um, you know, my International Women's Day is going to be making as much noise and as many DDA complaints and making as much trouble as I can in honour of Glenda.

They can't take your aim away now anyway, can't they? So you can do whatever you like. I wish I could be one.

They can't take your aim away now anyway, can't they? So you can do whatever you like. I wish I could be one.

Of the first ones.

Of the first ones.

Well, I guess they'll probably get more published than the original. Getting it.

Well, I guess they'll probably get more published than the original. Getting it.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Had to make a splash. I said 1979. Who were some of the people that influenced you that kind of set you on this path? Because I'm sure you were doing that. You know, pretty much. Well, literally as we speak.

Had to make a splash. I said 1979. Who were some of the people that influenced you that kind of set you on this path? Because I'm sure you were doing that. You know, pretty much. Well, literally as we speak.

Yeah, absolutely. Um, Glenda was one of, you know, the early elders for me, and it made me very aware. You know, she's only ten years older than me, but was considered to be an elder in our community. And, um, you know, really, the disability rights fight is such a long, arduous, you know, lengthy, um, fight that it really extends over more than one lifetime. And so the progress is very slow, but it's also very rewarding, you know, because it takes more and it's harder to do. But at the same time, we need to make sure that we're, um, including young people with disability handing on the baton. Next week, we've got a free activist course called Crip College that there's a few hundred disabled people enrolled in, and we're teaching them, you know, about the historical history of disability in Australia and how to make change. And you know what change looks like in Australia. And so yeah, that's something that's really exciting. So I'm really aware that, you know, in my late 50s that I'm, you know, need to be doing that work like Glenda did. And um, yeah, I think a lot of older women are in the same boat.

Yeah, absolutely. Um, Glenda was one of, you know, the early elders for me, and it made me very aware. You know, she's only ten years older than me, but was considered to be an elder in our community. And, um, you know, really, the disability rights fight is such a long, arduous, you know, lengthy, um, fight that it really extends over more than one lifetime. And so the progress is very slow, but it's also very rewarding, you know, because it takes more and it's harder to do. But at the same time, we need to make sure that we're, um, including young people with disability handing on the baton. Next week, we've got a free activist course called Crip College that there's a few hundred disabled people enrolled in, and we're teaching them, you know, about the historical history of disability in Australia and how to make change. And you know what change looks like in Australia. And so yeah, that's something that's really exciting. So I'm really aware that, you know, in my late 50s that I'm, you know, need to be doing that work like Glenda did. And um, yeah, I think a lot of older women are in the same boat.

We never have enough time. Congratulations again. And am you telling me a little story before coming to her about how you can use your Am now as part of your name?

We never have enough time. Congratulations again. And am you telling me a little story before coming to her about how you can use your Am now as part of your name?

I can, so my name is Sam. So I can just use a small S and a capital A and a capital M I haven't quite got used to putting an Am after my whole name, because it seems to be a little bit proper. So, um, I'm sure I'll get used to it at some point, but at the moment it's just a little bit funny that I can incorporate it.

I can, so my name is Sam. So I can just use a small S and a capital A and a capital M I haven't quite got used to putting an Am after my whole name, because it seems to be a little bit proper. So, um, I'm sure I'll get used to it at some point, but at the moment it's just a little bit funny that I can incorporate it.

Yeah. Again, congratulations. Richly deserved. I'm looking forward to hearing how you go when you get to government House, but we might have to get you back to talk about that because that'll probably be worth the interview as well I reckon.

Yeah. Again, congratulations. Richly deserved. I'm looking forward to hearing how you go when you get to government House, but we might have to get you back to talk about that because that'll probably be worth the interview as well I reckon.

Yeah, absolutely. Thanks so much for having me.

Yeah, absolutely. Thanks so much for having me.

That's a winner. A recipient, a very richly deserved recipient of an I am Samantha Connor.

That's a winner. A recipient, a very richly deserved recipient of an I am Samantha Connor.