Autism Works Employment Summit

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Autism. Will the minister inform the council about the state's first Autism Works Employment Summit?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:42): I thank the honourable member for this question. It was a proud moment for me and for the government yesterday to host South Australia's first Autism Works Employment Summit at the Adelaide Convention Centre. The Malinauskas Labor government brought together business sectors for the first time in our state's history to share knowledge and experiences, build awareness and explore how workplaces can be more inclusive for the autistic community. It was an emotional day not only for those 500 people in the room but also as a time to reflect on how far we have come as a government and a state on our autism inclusion journey.

Through becoming the first Assistant Minister for Autism and now the Minister for Autism, we have been able to listen to what matters to the community, and we have therefore been able to establish the Office for Autism within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, so autistic voices can be at the heart of decision-making across government sectors.

Just over a year ago, on World Autism Day, we launched the state's first autism charter. This charter was a bold commitment to becoming a global leader in autism inclusion, and to improving life outcomes for autistic individuals and communities across our state. As most members of this place would be aware, South Australia's first autism charter outlines four guiding principles: knowledge and understanding; wellbeing; connection and belonging; and employment and opportunity. The charter champions autism inclusion and is still yet to be signed by the Liberal opposition.

This government takes the autistic and autism communities' feedback seriously, and we have shown that time and time again through our nation-leading initiatives, from developing and delivering the state's first autism strategy, co-designed by the autistic and autism communities, through to many community forums and conversations.

Through the strategy consultation process seven focus areas were identified: pathways to diagnosis, positive educational experiences, thriving in the workplace, access to supports and services, participating in the community, access to health and mental health services, and interactions with the justice system. We have established the Autism Assessment and Diagnosis Advisory Group so practitioners and the wider autism community can have more certainty about what an autism diagnosis looks like in South Australia and we have invested $28.8 million to fund access to an autism inclusion teacher in every public primary school.

This is the largest network of autism inclusion teachers in the nation, and we are now rolling out a pilot into our secondary schools. We have also brought all the universities that offer a teaching degree to one table to update their university degrees so that pre-service teachers have access to autism inclusion learnings before they enter the classroom. It is not lost on me that none of this achievement could be possible without the autistic and autism communities working alongside the Malinauskas Labor government.

At yesterday's employment summit, we heard from the Premier about how unlocking the autistic workforce will lead to better outcomes for us all. We also heard from Professor Colin Stirling from Flinders University; Sir Nick Hine, chief executive of Badcock International and AUKUS; and Sam Weaver from Sam's Popcorn. There was a panel facilitated by Bruce Djite from the Property Council, along with Nick Addison from Adelaide Oval, Jessica Gadsby from Leaders IT, and Anna Moeller from the Australian Hotels Association about what autism inclusion means to them.

The Office for Autism also delivered their own very popular Autism Awareness and Understanding Training. Presented by an autistic facilitator, this training aims to provide an introduction to autism in the workplace. It explains what autism is, how autism may present and ways to work inclusively and provide support to autistic people. The training has been developed through extensive consultation with the autistic and autism communities and is based on the current research and information.

Leaders will now take this practical knowledge back to their organisations, and to assist them in implementing any changes or to expand on their knowledge they can now apply for the Autism Works grant that is available to them. This grant program aims to support organisations to promote genuine autism inclusion in South Australia for activities that increase knowledge, understanding and belonging for autistic people and autism communities.

Yesterday, we delivered on a promise, bringing together industry leaders to explore practical strategies for greater workplace inclusion. Thank you to everyone in the autistic and autism communities who has shared their stories with me and our government. It is because of you and those stories that SA continues to lead the way.