Sensory Bus

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Autism. Can the minister tell the council about the recent launch of South Australia's sensory bus?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (14:52): I thank the member for his question and interest in the launch of South Australia's new sensory bus and inclusion, which is an initiative that is being led here in South Australia. It has been several years in the making and one that we are incredibly proud of. The Malinauskas government is committed to making South Australia a leader when it comes to autism inclusion, including at our state's most popular festivals and major events. Our government is helping make this a reality by listening to and actioning nation-leading ideas directly from the South Australian autistic and autism communities.

The launch of South Australia's new sensory bus is just one of the many innovative ideas that have come directly from the community. In November 2023, I was approached by Nathan Hull at our Christmas carols with the idea of a sensory bus that could serve as a mobile space for people to regulate and rest at different events at our festivals. Nathan's idea was designed to help reduce barriers to inclusion and create a supportive space for autistic children, young people and adults.

I am glad to share that what started as an idea from Nathan and the Hull family nearly two years ago is now a reality, with the launch of a real-life mobile sensory bus that took place just across the bank from the Christmas carols at Pinky Flat on Friday 24 October at the OzAsia Festival Moon Lantern Trail.

A retired bus has been designed and has had an incredible facelift, and is looking better than ever before. In partnership with Autism SA, we have been able to create a space for people to be able to go to and know what to expect when they get there, if it is going to events like the Adelaide 500, the Tour Down Under or our Multicultural Festival. The sensory bus will also be available to book, for organisations interested in providing inclusive therapeutic spaces at their events, through Autism SA.

The launch event was an opportunity to celebrate and highlight the talented members of the South Australian autistic and autism communities, which have been integral to the development and the design of the sensory bus. The State Autism Strategy Advisory Committee, comprising of autistic South Australians, handpicked the designs of the interior and also the exterior. The advisory group chose the underwater theme for the interior of the bus, which provides light and dark spaces to cater for different sensory preferences.

The group also had hand selected vibrant artworks by autistic artists to wrap the bus exterior from a series of talented finalists in the Sensory Bus Art Competition, held earlier this year. An artwork by high school student Lilli wraps one side of the bus; it captures a classroom experience of students using different tools to regulate themselves. This was an incredible moment for Lilli to see this artwork on the side of a bus, and it also was for Amanda, whose artwork wraps the other side of the bus. They were overwhelmed when they arrived to see how big it was. They couldn't believe their artwork would be on display for all in South Australia to see at our major events.

There are so many talented autistic South Australians who have contributed to this latest autism inclusive initiative, something that was an idea only two years ago. Having a mobile sensory bus means that autistic people and their families now have a dedicated space they can go to at our popular festivals to reset, regulate and stay, instead of leaving.