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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-05-02 Daily Xml
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MINDA INCORPORATED

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:45): My question is directed at the Minister for Disabilities. Could you advise the house on how Minda Incorporated is working in partnership with the government to improve the lives of people with a disability?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:46): As members would be aware, Minda Incorporated is one—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for MacKillop is called to order. Minister for Disabilities.

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the honourable member for her question and also her advocacy for people with disabilities in her electorate. Minda Incorporated was actually established in 1898 and it is one of our oldest residential care and education facilities for people with intellectual disability. From its humble beginnings, Minda is now positioned at the forefront of South Australia's disability sector, with many other not-for-profit organisations, offering services to support over 1,500 South Australians with an intellectual disability.

Minda accommodates over 220 adults at its Brighton campus, with another 241 individuals accommodated in community-based living. The remaining numbers of individuals are supported through other services, including respite care, day option programs, aged care, employment opportunities, sport and leisure, and also arts-based activities. For those members who are not aware, Minda is actually an Aboriginal word for 'place of shelter', which is quite appropriate. A large part of the great work that Minda does in our community is very close to this translation.

Several weeks ago I, with the member for Hindmarsh, Steve Georganas, was fortunate enough to be invited by Minda to open one of their new community homes in the western suburb of Mile End for people with an intellectual disability and autism. This newly refurbished home will accommodate up to four young men and will provide them with increased independence and lifestyle choices. In addition, it will provide an ideal setting to further develop the skills of these young men and help them to continue to grow as individuals.

The Weatherill government has committed $593,500 annually to this specific community home to increase accommodation places for people with disabilities in South Australia. This highlights the government's ongoing partnership with community organisations such as Minda to not only improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities, but also broaden and diversify their actual lifestyle experiences. The government's total annual funding for Minda Incorporated is over $39 million per annum. This has increased approximately $15.6 million since Labor came to office in 2002.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minda Incorporated's president, Mr Tony Harrison (who is a former assistant police commissioner), and Minda's CEO, Ms Catherine Miller, for the opportunity to open this home and to see the benefits of their work firsthand. Finally, I would like to commend the whole Minda organisation—staff, families, carers and volunteers—for their enduring dedication and devotion to people with intellectual disability in this state.

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