A visually impaired lawn bowler from regional Western Australia says planned reductions to his National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding could end his dream of representing Australia at an international championship, highlighting growing concerns over the impact of the federal government’s disability support reforms.
Serge Asquer, a resident of Mount Barker in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, lost his vision after taking hydroxychloroquine to treat rheumatoid arthritis. He took up lawn bowls seven years ago and has since become a competitive blind bowler with aspirations of representing Australia at next year’s Blind Bowls Championship. According to ABC News, Asquer says the sport has given him purpose and independence following the loss of his sight.
However, Asquer’s NDIS-funded support has been significantly reduced. He previously received funding for up to 24 hours of support services each week, but that allocation was cut to four hours last year. Under his current three-year plan, those hours are scheduled to be halved twice more before March 2028, leaving him with just one hour of funded support per week. He says the reduction will make it increasingly difficult to manage everyday activities, attend training, and travel to competitions.
“I had a goal to keep me going. Without this, I have nothing. Bowls is my life,” Asquer told ABC News, explaining that his disability limits his ability to perform many daily tasks independently.
Asquer is among approximately 11,000 Australians with primary vision impairments who currently receive NDIS support. His case comes amid broader reforms aimed at slowing the growth of the NDIS, with the Australian Government arguing that the scheme must remain financially sustainable by focusing funding on people with the most significant and permanent disabilities. Government projections indicate that more than 200,000 participants could eventually leave the scheme under the proposed eligibility changes.
The proposed reforms have sparked criticism from disability advocates and some members of Parliament. Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John described the funding reductions as “indiscriminate,” arguing that many Australians with disabilities risk losing essential supports that enable them to participate fully in their communities. Advocates have also questioned whether replacement community-based services will be sufficient for people who no longer qualify for NDIS funding.
The federal government has defended the reforms, stating they are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NDIS while directing resources toward Australians with the highest support needs. The changes remain the subject of ongoing public debate and parliamentary scrutiny as disability groups continue to raise concerns about their practical impact on participants like Asquer.