Disability Services

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (14:56): Supplementary: in terms of the app that the minister talked about, how would that have helped Annie Smith in her case, where she had all technological equipment withdrawn from her for months?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:56): I'm not sure where the honourable member has that particular information from, and I think we still do need to be careful about the specifics of the case she raised. Indeed, in terms of hypotheticals I just think this is an area, particularly because it is still under investigation by the Quality and Safeguards Commission—so I just say that in relation to that specific case I think we set that aside.

In general terms, clearly technology is something that is being increasingly useful for people with disability. We see that in a range of settings, such as SDA properties. If anybody has been to the Uniting Communities facility in the city, U City, there is a range of technology that people use, for people who may be physically less mobile. They can turn on lights and do a range of things which enables their independence.

So there is a range of ways in which we are not just improving inclusion for people with disability, which is a very important part of the safeguarding going forward, but certainly improving functionality is something I think we need to look at across the spectrum. There are various means in which we need to be doing a whole range of things to improve inclusion for people with disability as well as safeguarding.