Corcoran, Mr M.

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. K.L. Vincent:

That this council notes the contribution to the South Australian community of Maurice Corcoran AM and—

1. Acknowledges the ongoing commitment of Mr Corcoran to ensuring that public transport is accessible to all; and

2. Congratulates Maurice Corcoran on being given the Lesley Hall Leadership Award at the 10th National Disability Awards.

(Continued from 30 November 2016.)

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (16:42): I rise to support this motion and join in congratulating Mr Corcoran on being awarded the Lesley Hall Leadership Award at the 2016 National Disability Awards. The National Disability Award categories celebrate and acknowledge individuals and organisations that demonstrate excellence, passion, vision and a commitment to assisting people with disability to achieve their goals. To be awarded the Lesley Hall Leadership Award recognises Mr Corcoran's significant contributions in the development of the national standards for accessible public transport and in improving opportunities for Australians living with disability.

Mr Corcoran has positively influenced the disability agenda and during his 30-year career he has inspired change for Australians with disability across many sectors. From 1994 to 2000, Mr Corcoran was the national disability representative on the national task force on accessible public transport standards and on the federal attorney-general's steering committee on accessible public transport.

Mr Corcoran is well aware of the importance of being able to access transport and how this impacts on education, employment, health, shopping, entertainment and social activities. He played a very important role in bringing about changes to the provision of accessible public transport, which has made such a difference to community participation.

The accessible public transport standards also provide a level of certainty to operators and providers of public transport and infrastructure about their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. In recognition of his work on developing the accessible public transport standards, Mr Corcoran was honoured with the national award in 2002 from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. In 2006, Mr Corcoran received the Order of Australia in recognition of his sustained service to people with disability and his contribution to the development of various national standards, particularly those for accessible public transport.

The state government has continued its focus on improving accessibility of public transport infrastructure. Specific initiatives which demonstrate our commitment to this include:

the upgrade of the City South tram stop to accommodate a wider platform, improve accessibility for all people and install a platform shelter;

continued upgrade of existing train stations with new platform surfaces, improved station accessibility, new bicycle enclosures and improved lighting, shelter and amenity of stations; and

continued purchasing of accessible buses.

I am pleased to report that I am advised that the Adelaide Metro bus fleet is currently 89 per cent wheelchair accessible, and 100 per cent of train and tram services are wheelchair accessible.

As chair of the Disability Advisory Council of South Australia, Mr Corcoran represented Australians with disability in the development of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in the development of Australia's response, the National Disability Strategy 2010-20. The strategy is a 10-year plan to improve life for Australians with disability, their family and carers across key policy areas. As a result, major disability reforms continue to be implemented by state, territory and local governments.

In South Australia, this work is being progressed through the introduction of disability access and inclusion plans across government agencies. This initiative builds on earlier work undertaken by Mr Corcoran over a decade ago when he was responsible for managing the South Australian government's previous disability strategy, 'Promoting independence: disability action plans for South Australia'.

In 2011, the South Australian government established the Community Visitor Scheme to protect the rights and wellbeing of people experiencing an acute mental illness and people with disability who live in disability accommodation or in supported residential facilities. Mr Corcoran was appointed as principal community visitor for the scheme.

On behalf of the South Australian government, I would like to thank Mr Corcoran and acknowledge his commitment and efforts over many years to champion the rights of people with disability to ensure that they have the opportunity to contribute to and participate fully in their communities.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. T.J. Stephens.