05/08/2026
We just wanted the tyres included. 🛞🚗🛞
I’ve got an unbelievable story…
I bought a brand new 🚗
We were so excited.
The day finally arrived. The car was delivered… but it had no tyres.
I was in shock😯
I went back to the dealership and asked why they had delivered a car without tyres.
They told me I hadn’t requested tyres in a detailed report📝
I said, “I assumed they came with the car. After all, it can’t operate without them.”
They explained that because I hadn’t provided evidence explaining why I needed tyres, they couldn’t supply them.
I asked, “What evidence do I need?”
They handed me a lengthy list.
I asked, “How was I supposed to know I needed all this?”
Their response was simple:
“That’s the process.”
I was given a deadline. If I didn’t provide all the evidence in time, I would have to accept the car exactly as it was.
Without tyres.
I argued that a car without tyres doesn’t work. Surely that’s just common sense.
Again, I was told,
“That’s the process.”
So, disheartened, I started gathering the evidence.
First, I contacted Bob Jane.
To write their report they needed to know why I drove, how often I drove, how many kilometres I travelled, my driving skills, a professional driving assessment, a three-month driving log, my fuel economy, my servicing history, how often previous tyres had been replaced, and my wheel alignment history.
Apparently my wheel alignment could indicate how I drove and determine what tyres they were prepared to approve.
Ridiculous, isn’t it?
Eventually they completed a detailed report covering the recommended tyres, why they were suitable, how long they should last, how they should be maintained, and what records I would need to keep in the future—including fuel use, braking habits, horn usage, window use and even air-conditioning settings.
💰 I paid for the report.
Next I contacted the tyre manufacturer’s engineer.
They wanted much of the same information, along with video footage of my driving, my driving habits, and the make and model of my vehicle.
Eventually…
💰 Another report.
💰 Another invoice.
Then I contacted NSW Roads.
I needed a report describing the roads I would drive on, the road surfaces, maintenance schedules and potential hazards.
The report explained they couldn’t maintain every road due to staffing shortages and funding constraints, but they kindly gave me information on how to dodge potholes.
💰 Another invoice.
Then NSW Health.
If I ever broke down or had a flat tyre, I needed evidence that I understood the safety procedures for standing beside the road, who to call and what to do while waiting for assistance.
💰 Another invoice.
Then I had to write my own statement.
- Who I lived with.
- Who else could drive.
- Why I couldn’t carpool.
- Why I couldn’t borrow someone else’s tyres.
- Who would help maintain them.
- What would happen if I drove without them.
- Where the car would be kept.
- The risks involved.
Then I needed evidence of how I’d keep the tyres clean.
A local car wash company kindly wrote a report confirming they could maintain my vehicle🧼
💰 Another invoice.
Finally…
Everything was submitted.
Now all I had to do was wait.
For months my new car sat in the driveway.
Completely unusable.
Because it had no tyres.
Months later the decision arrived.
Good news 👍
My tyres had finally been approved.
But there was a catch🎣
The approval would only last for a limited period because it was expected that, by then, using the car would help build my fitness.
Eventually I should be able to run or walk instead.
If my circumstances changed…
I would need to submit all the reports again.
And none of them could be more than 12 months old.
“We hope you enjoy your new tyres.”
🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞
This is a fictional story about tyres. But for thousands of Australians living with disability, this is exactly what navigating essential supports can feel like.
This has become the reality for many people seeking the support they need simply to live safely and with dignity.
The issue isn’t just the paperwork.
It’s having to repeatedly prove your disability.
To repeatedly explain your limitations.
To repeatedly hand over intensely personal information about your body, your behaviours, your mental health, your relationships, your daily struggles and your future.
Over and over again.
As though one day you might simply wake up without a disability🪄
Reducing supports won’t stop fraud🛑💰🛑💰🛑💰🛑💰🛑💰🛑💰🛑
But it does create enormous barriers for people who are already facing enough.
Behind every “cost saving” is a real person.
👦A child.
🧓🏽An adult.
👩🏻🦳A parent.
🧑🧑🧒🧒A family.
Parents quietly worrying about who will fight these battles when they’re gone.
Siblings wondering if one day the responsibility will become theirs
People simply trying to stay safe, live independently and have the same dignity everyone else expects.
We don’t want special treatment.
We don’t want luxury.
We just want the car to come with the tyres it needs, to work 🚗
