MATTERS OF INTEREST

DISABILITYCARE AUSTRALIA

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:21): I rise today to discuss the care and support of disabled members of our community. I necessarily refer to federal issues in my remarks. I employ a young woman as a personal assistant in my office one day a week. Her name is Georgia, and she has cerebral palsy. She has provided me with a great deal of research and anecdotal evidence to which I will refer over the next few minutes, and I thank her for her work.

In 2008, Australia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Just five years later, we have the National Disability Insurance Scheme. That commitment is worth celebrating, in my view. As Nicola Roxon pointed out in her John Button Memorial Lecture in Melbourne just a couple of weeks ago:

When Bill Shorten first started advocating for [the NDIS], it was not government policy and money had not been allocated...the reasons for acting become overwhelmingly clear...This vital social policy change was handled so well that the Liberals had no choice but to adopt it as their policy too. This was a sign of success, policy wise, but it was also...designed to neuter the political impact of such a substantial reform.

We now know that the rest is history. We are assured that this landmark Labor reform will be retained by the new federal government, although some tinkering obviously can be predicted.

For disabled members of our community and their carers this has been a very long wait. Access to the scheme for children with disability here in South Australia began on 1 July this year, covering participants in disability support programs aged from birth to 24 months. Children up to five years will join by July 2014. The age limit will then extend to 13 years and, by the following year, all children from newborns to 14 year olds will be able to access the scheme.

According to current agreements, all eligible South Australian residents will be covered by July 2018. While I acknowledge that that means an additional wait for Georgia, at least the vision and the passion of the former federal government will enable her sooner rather than later to participate in a structured system that will assist her to make her own life decisions.

What do those life decisions entail? Amongst other matters, the issue of independent living remains a primary concern for Georgia and her family. Presently, she receives less than 19 hours of carer support per week, which is typically used to enable independent recreational and other activities—for example, coming to work, exercising, participating in meal preparation and enjoying various opportunities for interaction and creativity. But if personal care were not carried out by Georgia's family to make time for these external activities, her carer support allocation would be used up, and if that happened Georgia would be at home, isolated from the social life that we just take for granted.

More hours would cover independent activity and personal care and relieve Georgia's family because, as her parents age, equipment will be needed. Georgia says, too, that there is a need for more trained, reliable support staff. One example: an injury that was a direct result of poor personal care once resulted in two weeks leave from work. On another issue, I know from Georgia and others that once the school years are over there are relatively few options for organised activities for young adults with disabilities throughout the week. More is needed.

So, how will the National Disability Insurance Scheme help Georgia with these issues? For a start, DisabilityCare will enhance her opportunities for independent living, a desire all young people share. DisabilityCare will provide increased family support and allow her parents to transition their care responsibilities as they age. It will provide guidance as to the most appropriate equipment for Georgia's safety and wellbeing, and individualised funding will give Georgia control over spending priorities without jeopardising essential services.

These are all opportunities to move away from dependence and towards a better quality of life. Georgia concedes that the scheme presents changes and challenges, yet believes that it will provide security, enhance independence and deliver increased autonomy for clients and their families. Disability support in Australia has the potential to transform the landscape of our community. Georgia and I commend the scheme.