Disability Advocate

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (15:14): Supplementary question arising out of the original answer: what steps has the minister or the minister's office actually taken through the Department of Human Services to facilitate the creation of such a position?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for her supplementary question. The first important matter on this issue is funding. That's the first step. If we are able to secure funding then we will take it from there. I note that in the recent debate on the Disability Inclusion Bill, the Labor Party took the view that the role should sit within the Equal Opportunity Commission. That is certainly not the advice of my department. It would probably be more likely to fit and be more consistent with the role of the Public Advocate. As I said, the first matter is to secure funding. Without that we are not able to go much further.