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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-10-27 Daily Xml
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DISABILITY SERVICES

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:02): My question is to the Minister for Disability. How is the Rann government working to improve protection for vulnerable South Australians with a disability?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (15:02): I thank the member for Florey for her question and commend her for the many years of service she has devoted to advocating on behalf of South Australians with a disability. Like all members, I know she welcomed the government's $70.9 million injection into disability services in last month's budget.

With work on the National Disability Insurance Scheme and with our Social Inclusion Disability Blueprint in motion, it is great that real action is underway to improve conditions for the disability community. At the same time as these groundbreaking projects continue, the Minister's Disability Advisory Council (MDAC) has been working tirelessly on its latest and arguably its most important piece of work to date.

There has been increasing recognition nationally and internationally that some people with disabilities are vulnerable to abuse or harm because of their reduced capacity to protect themselves from others, report abuse or remove themselves from undesirable, inappropriate or harmful care.

Following discussions in May, I asked MDAC to undertake work that will examine world's best practice to properly protect vulnerable South Australians with a disability. Membership of the council consists of nine outstanding South Australians who all have personal experience of disability. We are also very fortunate to share in the expertise of Dr Lorna Hallahan, who chairs the council. There would not be a member in this chamber, I am sure, who would have anything but positive words to say about Dr Hallahan's knowledge and commitment to the South Australian disability community.

These nine members provide me with independent advice on issues affecting people with disabilities, with a focus on ensuring that the diversity and needs within the South Australian disability community are brought to my attention. It is a reality that some people with a disability are particularly vulnerable to abuse or harm, whether they are living at home, in a community setting or in one of our larger facilities. Unfortunately, the nature of their disability and their reliance on others for their care can leave them open to harm.

The government already has a range of measures in place aimed at providing protection. However, we believe this is an important matter where we should explore all options to provide the best protection we can. I note that the Hon. Kelly Vincent is advocating for the introduction of mandatory reporting. At this stage I would not rule this in or out, as I feel it is important that we thoroughly consider all possibilities.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: The member for Bragg continues to interject. For her information, in particular, the Julia Farr Association recently concluded, on this matter, that:

...while a mandatory reporting framework may be of some assistance to vulnerable people in South Australia, it will not by itself be enough to advance the rights and safeguards of vulnerable people.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: I also draw members' attention to the fact that I understand that the member for Bragg lodged a question on notice today about the number of strikes issued to Housing Trust tenants who have been disruptive. It would be interesting to know how many warnings the member for Bragg has had, and what the outcome of that is—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister will get back to the question.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: —and whether she gets evicted!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: We'll count up how many strikes she has had.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Hammond for the second time.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Bragg, you are on your third warning.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Three strikes! Three strikes and you are out in the Housing Trust.

The SPEAKER: The minister will return to the question and stop responding to the other side.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is three strikes and you are out in the Housing Trust; we take you to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal. We agree with the Julia Farr Association, which is why we want MDAC to explore all avenues relating to this important matter. This will ultimately deliver a framework that serves the best interests of vulnerable South Australians with a disability.

It is important that this work is both considered and undertaken in such a way as not to cause unnecessary alarm or concern for those people already dealing with difficult situations. I am told that this work will be completed in December. When finished I am hopeful that we can provide world's best practice for the protection of vulnerable South Australians with a disability.

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