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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-11-25 Daily Xml
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MINDA INCORPORATED

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (11:59): I move:

That this house—

(a) congratulates Minda Incorporated for its commitment in implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities; and

(b) calls upon the Minister for Disability to explain why the government has failed to do so.

It is with pleasure that I speak to this motion. The good news about this motion is that the board of Minda Incorporated in South Australia provides both accommodation and services at an exceptional level to many of the young people who are challenged with intellectual disabilities—and older people but, particularly, in moving this motion I want to recognise their work with younger people.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sets out a number of principles, and they include: respect for everyone's inherent dignity and freedom to make choices and independence; non-discrimination; full participation and inclusion in society; respect for differences and accepting people with disabilities as part of human diversity; equal opportunity; accessibility (this is access to transportation, places of information and simply not being refused because you have a disability); equality between men and women (having the opportunities whether you are male or female); and respect for the evolving capacity of children with disabilities and their rights to preserve their dignity.

No-one, frankly, in their right mind in my view, would take any objection to the precedence which should be given to these principles, but it is important sometimes to enshrine this as a commitment in writing in what we apply. Nothing is less important than not only being a signatory—and that South Australia should be a signatory—to ensure the rights of citizens with disabilities but also ensuring that it is the fundamental foundation to the provision of services, whether they be in the government sector, the non-government sector or any volunteer organisation which provides the same to a person with a disability.

What is heartening to see is that Australia is a signatory to the convention. It is fair to say that, whilst there is no evidence yet that that is being applied across its activity in respect of securing the recognition of people with a disability in the services that it provides, I recognise that it has been acknowledged in the issues paper associated with the Productivity Commission's current investigation into a national insurance scheme, which is to report to the federal minister by 1 July 2011.

Similarly, in South Australia, commissioner Cappo has been asked by this government to undertake an investigation of services and the provision of services. He made, in fact, some rather critical comment of the government in the publication of his questionnaire/issues paper on this matter, which is now out for public consultation; and, in particular, I think he was indicating that it had about a one out of 10, from memory (was his public comment), in the provision of services to South Australians.

However, in that, the recognition of the United Nation's convention and the adoption of this is how we actually serve, provide for and facilitate the opportunity for people with disability to enjoy all these principles, and that they be abided by when we design and make provision for services and accommodation for the future.

The board of Minda has incorporated by passing a resolution to commit to the convention, and this has had the direct effect of placing some direction on the board as in the decisions it makes and in the application of its future services. It has since undertaken an audit of how its services match up with this; and, as I understand it, is now developing an action plan consistent with that compliance. That is great news, and it should be applauded as being in the advance of South Australia in this regard.

What is concerning is that the state government here, though, has made little attempt to ensure that the principles of the convention are implemented, and it has no reporting structures to ensure compliance. I ask the minister, as part of this motion, to explain to us why that has not occurred and what she is going to do about it. That is the import of this. I would welcome her contribution to the parliament, particularly if she is to indicate to us that at the very least it is under consideration and expects it to be applied.

It is important because Disability SA is part of the Department for Families and Communities, which she represents in the government as the minister. It has a very significant role in policy development, regulation of service providers, financial management and accountability and in itself it is also a service provider.

Members will recall the restructure under former minister Weatherill, who essentially caused a number of the services provided by, formerly, NGOs and private operators to be brought in-house. I am not here to discuss the merits of that today, but as a result the department itself is also a very significant service provider. It is all the more reason why the government should sign up to this convention. I look forward to the minister's explanation and I hope that it will be supported by an indication that it is to be progressed, and the sooner the better.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.

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