Disability Services

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding disability. Can the minister provide an update to the council on the Marshall Liberal government's commitment to provide $1.8 million over three years for disability advocacy services?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:53): I thank the honourable member for her question and for her interest in this important matter. As I have spoken in this house before in relation to the systemic advocacy service that the government provided following the 2018 election, honourable members may be aware that Dr David Caudrey has been fulfilling that role. It was interesting actually, if we take our minds back to before the election, that the Labor Party (in government) had promised to provide such a service, but when I came into office and asked the department where the funding was, they said that it hadn't been allocated.

So we were very pleased that we were able to appoint Dr Caudrey to that role in which he continues. He has met with a large number of South Australians for them to tell him their stories in relation to what their experience is with the NDIS and with other disability interfaces. He provides regular reports to me and has made submissions to important things like the federal government's Tune review into the customer experience for people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Once again, we have been able to fund a new service. Following the Safeguarding Taskforce report that was released in July, which recommended that the state government invest in individual advocacy to assist individuals with accessing what they need from the NDIS in the community, we have been able to fulfil that commitment. It is important to note that individual advocacy hasn't been funded by South Australia since 2007 when the former Labor government defunded it as a cost saving measure.

On 3 August, we announced $1.8 million over three years for disability advocacy services; that is, $600,000 to continue the role of the Disability Advocate and $1.2 million for individual services. We undertook a competitive tender process and on 9 December announced Uniting Communities was to provide a new statewide service for people with disability to ensure they can access and receive services they require.

In the selection criteria, we sought that the tenderer would have the following: demonstrated legal and individual advocacy experience; understanding of client group; proposed service delivery model, including regional engagement, technology and customer feedback; systems, resources, capability and budget; an industry participation plan; a view to risk; and financial viability.

We received seven applications, which were subjected to an extensive evaluation process. The successful service provider has demonstrated that they are able to provide outcomes to vulnerable people with disabilities; assist them in understanding their rights; assist in navigating the NDIS system; address gaps in support; address discrimination, conflict and unfair treatment; support clients to make informed decisions; to build capacity to advocate for themselves; ensure their fundamental needs are being met; and support clients through legal matters.

I had the pleasure of visiting the Uniting Communities Law Centre quite recently. The centre has a multidisciplinary approach, so it includes a range of services at that site, such as financial counselling and others. They have advised me that they have been kept busy with access issues and a number of guardianship issues as well. It is quite a holistic service, which we think will greatly assist some of our most vulnerable South Australians to achieve the services they need.