DISABILITY SERVICES ACT

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Disability a question regarding disability services in this state.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: As all members would be aware, the Disability Services Act was passed in 1993 to provide for the funding and provision of disability services in South Australia. At that time, the then minister for health proclaimed that the legislation serves to endorse and protect the right to dignity, autonomy and self-determination for people with disabilities. There is a section of the act that requires that it be reviewed within one year of its commencement, and on 31 March 1995 a report on this review of the act was, indeed, provided to the then new minister for health. Looking back at the contents of this review, there were some very wise recommendations made. For example, the review recommended:

the establishment of a formal complaints mechanism to handle complaints about services provided for people with disabilities;

that a system of mandatory reporting be implemented;

that consideration be given to the implementation of a volunteer community visitors scheme; and

that the act be reviewed every five years.

It seems to me that these ideas are still being recommended by those who champion the rights of people with disabilities today. Fifteen years on, we in the disability community are still waiting for these recommendations to be implemented. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is the minister currently undertaking a review of the act? If so, when will this review be available for consideration?

2. Who is involved in the consultation process for this review?

3. Most importantly, why has it taken so long for such a review to be implemented?

4. Will the minister commit to implementing the recommendations listed above?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for her very important questions. I will refer them to the Minister for Disability in another place and bring back a response.