‘Why can’t we come in the front?’ Wheelchair user’s plea after visit to federal disability minister Mark Butler’s office
See what an accessibility advocate found when he visited federal Disability Minister Mark Butler at his electorate office.
When a man in a wheelchair turned up to a meeting at the federal disability minister’s electorate office he was shocked to find stairs and a broken doorbell at the front door.
Accessibility advocate Shane Hryhorec, who splits his time between Melbourne and Adelaide, claims the street entrance to the South Australian electorate office for Mark Butler is “completely inaccessible” to people with disabilities.
“When I arrived, I was shocked to find stairs at the front door,” Mr Hryhorec said.
“Even the doorbell for wheelchair access was missing.
“The only way in was through a rear roller-door entrance normally used for deliveries.”
Mr Hryhorec has documented his experience arriving for the meeting and on Tuesday posted it to social media.
The footage shows him waving his arms and calling out at the front of the office, hoping to alert staff inside to his predicament.
He is eventually helped though the back entry which featured a ramp with no grab rails, “narrow access” and obstructions including a table and ashtray blocking his path.
“It’s completely unacceptable that the Disability Minister’s own office isn’t accessible
to people with disabilities,” Mr Hryhorec said.
“It sends the wrong message and highlights how far we still have to go in Australia when it comes to inclusion.”
Following his visit, the broken doorbell was quickly fixed.
However, the front steps and “overall inaccessibility of the office” remain unchanged, Mr Hryhorec said.
The video concludes with Mr Hryhorec asking a powerful question: “Should Ministers around Australia have offices that people with disabilities can enter through the front door?”.
A spokesperson for Mr Butler said “of course” Australians living with a disability should have access to federal parliamentarian offices.
“We know this is not good enough,” the spokesperson said.
“We’ve requested the Department of Parliamentary Services identify another office that has a more inclusive design and meets a diverse range of needs.”
The spokesperson said the building the office was houses in had “heritage requirements”.
“The office has engaged the council, Telstra and architects for installing an access ramp at the front of the building and were quoted in excess of over $100,000.
Mr Butler’s office has been at 21 Commercial Rd, Port Adelaide, for about ten years.
Mr Hryhorec is a C5 incomplete quadriplegic and founder of Push Mobility and Accessible
Beaches Australia, and has spent more than a decade advocating for better access and inclusion across Australia.
Through his Wheel Around the World project, he travels globally highlighting
accessibility challenges and pushing for real change.
Earlier this year Mr Hryhorec shared his dreams for more accessible beaches with Frankston mayor Kris Bolam.
Mr Bolam and the council has since worked with Accessible Beaches Australia to launch the nation’s most accessible beach at Frankston foreshore this summer.
From December 5, visitors will be able to enjoy beach matting extending to the water’s edge, complimentary beach wheelchairs and equipment, daybeds and cool cabanas, as well as trained staff ready to lend a hand.
The council allocated $125,000 to the pilot in its 2025/26 budget and the project also has the support of Frankston Social Inclusion Advisory Group, disability advocates, service providers, local businesses, community organisations and volunteers.
The Herald Sun understands it would cost about $100,000 a year to adopt the program permanently.