Labor member for Throsby, and the party’s candidate for Whitlam, Stephen Jones got his groove on as he personally delivered a letter of support from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to the regions’ three disability enterprises – Greenacres, The Flagstaff Group and The Disability Trust.

During the presentation, Mr Jones ran into Greenacres employee Lucy Williams, from Kiama. 

The pair had met once before – a time when Lucy was learning to dance. On Thursday, the 24-year-old wanted show the politician some of her moves.

The challenge was on – it was time for a dance-off. 

“I like to challenge anybody,” Lucy told the Mercury.

“I love dancing. Dancing is my talent because it’s a really good thing for your body.” 

Mr Jones said he had been “learning some pretty good moves from Lucy” and the display showed how disability enterprises were communities, not just workplaces. 

“It’s a hell of a lot better than these guys sitting on a couch at home; let’s be frank, that’s the alternative.

“They earn a decent wage, they’re respected and they’ve got a loving community and they have fun.” 

As the protracted federal election campaign rolls on, it’s evident Mr Jones is also having plenty of fun. 

There’s just over a week until the Illawarra goes to the polls. 

“I like working at Greenacres and I want the government to support Greenacres 100 per cent, all the way.”

That was the message Nicholas Paez had for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as Illawarra/Shoalhaven disability enterprises fight to remain viable amid a wage determination debate.

Mr Paez, from Unanderra, is one of more than 650 people with a disability employed by the regions’ three Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) – Greenacres, The Flagstaff Group and The Disability Trust.

Debate over how the disability enterprises determine people’s wages has been ongoing for about two years, following a push by some non-local advocacy groups to enforce a method that would be unsustainable. 

Greenacres Disability Services chief executive Chris Christodoulou said the matter was before the Fair Work Commission but the government had to play a role in finding a solution.

“The reality is there is one part of the community, a small part, that say organisations such as ours shouldn’t even exist; that people with disabilities should all be employed in open employment,” Mr Christodoulou said.

“That sounds good but the reality is that with high unemployment and with many companies being driven by profit, they’re not going to provide the support that’s necessary for many people with disabilities.”  

The ADEs have been buoyed by support from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, and now want the PM to act.  

Mr Shorten has written to the not-for-profit organisations, acknowledging the challenges they face regarding wage determinations.

Illawarra Labor MPs Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones presented Mr Shorten’s letter to employees and ADE representatives on Thursday. 

Mr Jones said the organisations provided “meaningful employment” and an “invaluable community service”.

“Some people call them sweat shops, some people say they’re exploiting people with disabilities - these are communities, they are great employers, they’re providing meaningful work,” he said.

“They earn a decent wage, they’re respected … and they have fun.”