OFFICE OF DISABILITY —
NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME
602. Mr M.J. FOLKARD to the Minister for Disability
Services:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to people with disability in Western Australia.
Can the minister update the house about how
the government is supporting Western Australians with disability and ensuring
that our state receives a fair deal from the commonwealth on the National
Disability Insurance Scheme?
Mr D.T.
PUNCH replied:
I
thank the member for Burns Beach for his excellent work, particularly in
researching post-traumatic stress disorder and assisting people
experiencing that very debilitating condition.
The McGowan Labor government is
proud to establish the state's first office of disability as part of
the 2021–22 budget to promote the
rights and interests of people with disability and support the broader
disability sector that exists in Western Australia. The establishment of
an office of disability will ensure disability continues to be a key part of
the state government's focus and there is a strong voice advocating for
people with disability across government, the disability sector and the broader
community. The office will act as a vital conduit of information and knowledge
on the range and quality of services that people with disability require. I know
members get frequent inquiries about disability matters, and this office will
be a vital part of helping to make sure the system is fair, equitable and easy
to follow.
Sitting
within the Department of Communities, the office will provide disability sector
stewardship and advice on state and commonwealth systems, and drive work
and information to advance inclusion and the participation of people with
disability in Western Australia. It will provide leadership through a dedicated
team to implement and monitor our A Western Australia for everyone: State
disability strategy 2020–2030, which my predecessor, Hon Steve
Dawson, led the development of. Importantly, the office will have a role in
informing and advising government on the experiences between Western Australians
with disability and their families and carers and the National Disability
Insurance Scheme. The office supports the McGowan government to deliver better
outcomes for the 411 500 Western Australians who live with disability, and is
part of our commitment to investing in key services that will support all Western
Australians.
The role and structure of the
office of disability has been shaped by an extensive consultation engagement
process undertaken across the state in 2020 that included people with lived
experience of disability, and that is a key part of moving forward into the
future. Its formation answers a call from peak and advocacy bodies throughout
the disability sector in Western Australia
that such an office be formed in WA. I am pleased to inform the house of that
development, and I think the office of disability will make an outstanding
contribution to the future of disability services in Western Australia.