Ministerial Statement

Autism Strategy

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services, Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well) (15:44): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.F. COOK: In March this year the Premier made a statement in this place and tabled our government's Autism Inclusion Charter. At the time, the Premier noted the charter was an important milestone on our journey towards delivering one of our key election commitments: an autism strategy for South Australia. Today, it was my honour to join the Premier and the Assistant Minister for Autism to officially launch the strategy, along with members of the autistic and autism communities.

I am pleased to table a copy of the strategy and I encourage all members of this place to read it and think about what action they can take in their own lives and offices. The launch of the Autism Strategy follows Autistic Pride Day that was celebrated around the world yesterday, and marks further progress toward making our community more inclusive and more productive.

Over many decades we have seen so much potential wasted because of a lack of awareness and understanding of different groups in our community. This new strategy, and a range of other work under this government, seeks to improve knowledge and understanding while setting out a framework for positive change. Positive change begins with listening: listening to those with lived experience and making sure they have the opportunity to lead the way.

In the lead-up to the last election, we heard from people all over South Australia that we needed to do better when it came to autism, so we worked with the autistic and autism communities to understand their challenges, goals and ideas. We opened up consultation so everyone could be involved, and received more than 1,350 submissions in one of the biggest disability-focused consultations we have ever undertaken.

After much work, we have the strategy that has been launched today. It focuses on seven areas identified by the autistic and autism communities: diagnosis, education, employment, supports and services, community participation, health, and justice. Action plans will now be developed and monitored across the seven focus areas to help drive change in our community.

I would like to thank the members of the state Autism Strategy Advisory Committee who joined us at the launch this morning for their work on this important project. I would also like to thank the many individuals, organisations and agencies that gave their time, thoughts and resources to make the strategy happen.

As the Premier noted, when talking about the Autism Inclusion Charter we have been taking action since the election in a range of areas to support the autistic and autism communities. This work has included: introducing autism inclusion teachers in public schools, hiring extra wellbeing workers in schools, appointing an Assistant Minister for Autism, establishing the Office for Autism, offering autism grants, launching the Autism Works campaign, boosting and retargeting diagnostic support, working with industry groups to deliver everything from sensory spaces at major events to quiet dinners in hotels, and establishing a new target for employment of people with disability across the public service.

In closing, I note a more inclusive approach to autism is part of our broader work to boost disability access and inclusion across neurodivergence, physical, psychosocial and cognitive disabilities. In turn, this is part of an even bigger focus on diversity, equity and inclusion that touches on younger people, older people, people from disability, people with disability, people with diverse gender and sexual identities, those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and Aboriginal people, amongst others.

A key message from the strategy for everyone in this room and across our state is to show respect and treat people as individuals. As the development of this strategy has shown, taking the time to genuinely listen and to understand the views and aspirations of different people in our community is an investment in a better future for us all.