Disability Services

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:44): Supplementary question arising from the answer.

The PRESIDENT: I will give you the call next, the Hon. Ms Franks.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: The minister may want to reflect on how flippantly she answers these questions, given there are people—

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition, we don't need—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! We don't need commentary. Just ask the supplementary.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Can the minister outline some of the other areas that these workers could work in that provide just as good, if not better, pay and conditions as she had stated, and does she think having secure work is a condition or an area worth protecting?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:44): My answer to the second question is yes. In terms of the better roles, there may be roles that are available within management that utilise the existing knowledge and understanding of how disability services are provided in that specialised environment. People shift around from different roles; for instance, in the Office of the Public Advocate it may well be useful for people to work in that space who have this sort of experience. There are a whole range of areas where that sort of understanding could be utilised.

Even within the NDIA itself, or with some of the local area co-ordinators, I am sure there are opportunities available there for people who have that direct experience of working with people with disabilities. In fact, I think the NDIA and the local area co-ordinators probably would have operated more effectively if they had had the benefit of people with that sort of experience, with a deep understanding of disability, having been employed there. This is to be an expanded marketplace. There are a huge number of opportunities for people in this sector, and that is a good thing.