Autism Funding

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (14:51): My questions are to the parliamentary secretary regarding advocacy. Is the parliamentary secretary concerned with the number of South Australian organisations that have had their Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program funding non-renewed? This includes JFA Purple Orange's Enabled Youth Disability Network program. Has she raised concerns with her federal counterparts? When did the parliamentary secretary last meet with her federal counterparts Minister Rishworth and Minister Shorten? What issues did she advocate for in the recent federal budget?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:52): I thank the member—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Parliamentary secretary, you are welcome to answer if you wish.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: I thank the member for her question—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Sit down. Order! There is not a conversation between the Hon. Ms Girolamo and the Hon. Mr Hunter. Enough!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Hunter, your ship will be rudderless without you today and the way you are going you will be having a day off. The parliamentary secretary will answer the question.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Apologies, Mr President, I thought you said something else then.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: I am happy to answer this question. I talk regularly with the federal government, particularly Minister Rishworth, in regard to advocacy, but in regard to what we are able to do in South Australia in supporting our community and our incredible support for the autistic and autism community it is to create new opportunities and that is what we have done.

Just recently, we opened a grant up to allow grants for up to $50,000 to be made available to organisations in South Australia that can provide a sense of belonging, understanding and a growth in knowledge around autism in our community because we know that when we build that knowledge, we create a sense of belonging and that's why we put these grants out there valued up to $50,000 for any organisation to apply for.