Autism SA

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:31): My question is to the Minister for Human Services. Is the government going to be maintaining, reducing or increasing funding to Autism SA, in particular for their diagnostic testing program through the Department of Human Services, and will that program and others be continued?

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services) (14:32): Put simply, we met with Autism SA today and we discussed the plan, moving forward, which they have been working on with us, together, collaboratively, in order to come up with a plan that ensures all people needing an autism diagnosis in South Australia will receive one.

We have committed to extend the funding for Autism SA until March next year while we work together to prioritise the full funding—not a subsidised model, which is currently the case. I'm sure—

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: You can stop talking. Do you want the answer or not?

The SPEAKER: Minister, order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Florey!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: I understand it's complex, but the Autism SA—

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister has the call.

Mr Brown interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Florey!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: The current arrangements have been $310,000, which has funded in part the diagnostic pathway for people who need one via Autism SA, and the gap funding is somewhere between $800 and $1,000. This gap is absolutely unobtainable for a number of people in our community, a number of people in at-risk families, families who are complex in their needs, families who need support.

We are working now with Autism SA to try to achieve the best possible outcome for children who are in that cohort—potentially, youth justice pathways, a whole range of children who are at very high risk—whose families cannot afford to pay gap payments of $800 to $1,000, nor can they wait for years on a waiting list to get that diagnosis. We have spoken to Autism SA today. I am happy to give a fuller brief if the member is interested and provide a guarantee of the current—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. N.F. COOK: I don't even know what's funny. What is hilarious?

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, you will not respond to interjections. You have the call.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Hartley, it is unnecessary to gesture.

The Hon. N.F. COOK: I'm very happy to sit and provide a fuller brief in regard to it. Today, the galaxy's first Assistant Minister for Autism, I understand, and I met with Autism SA to provide some certainty moving forward to continue the same funding arrangement until March. In the meantime, we will work out how to prioritise and pathway those children and people in the community who need it the most to ensure they get those diagnostic services.