Ministerial Statement

Autism Inclusion Charter

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:00): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: It is a great honour today, as we celebrate the state's first Autism Inclusion Charter, to table this important document, both here and in the other place. In the lead-up to the 2022 state election, when I was at street-corner meetings, forums or even just walking along the street, people were constantly talking about autism—not just once or twice but time and time again, and so we decided to host a number of forums focused on the autistic and autism communities.

The forums were continuously booked out. At all those forums we listened and learnt a lot. We learnt that the autistic and autism communities have long been fighting for change, long been waiting for a government to come up with a suite of dedicated policies and shine a spotlight on autism—and that is exactly what we have done. From appointing the world's first Assistant Minister for Autism, the Hon. Emily Bourke, from the other place, to the introduction of autism inclusion teachers in our primary schools, to the creation of the nation's first autistic-led Office for Autism, to the updating of our teaching degrees, I am proud that South Australia has been bold in its agenda of working to make our state not only a national but a world leader in autism inclusion.

All of our policies have the foundation of building knowledge. We know very well in this chamber that knowledge is power, and you cannot create change without knowledge. Now we have reached another important milestone: we are in the process of developing the state's first Autism Strategy, with a key component of the strategy being the development and implementation of an Autism Inclusion Charter.

The Autism Inclusion Charter contains four guiding principles that will underpin a whole-of- government approach to improving life outcomes for autistic people while also enabling a more knowledgeable and inclusive state where autistic and autism communities can thrive with opportunity, support, connection and belonging. Importantly, this charter is not just a pretty poster that will sit there collecting dust in every government agency; instead, every government agency will sign up to the charter, and government services will also receive support and training from the Office for Autism.

I would like to thank the Assistant Minister for the Office for Autism, the Office for Autism itself, the Department of Human Services, and all those who have contributed to the development of the state's first Autism Inclusion Charter. We know that when we welcome diversity, and especially neurodiversity, and different ways of thinking, we maximise opportunities for innovation and progress. This charter is just another way we can further this important mission for the betterment of our state. According to statute, I lay on the table a report on the South Australian Autism Inclusion Charter.