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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-03-25 Daily Xml
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Coronavirus

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Human Services about supporting vulnerable South Australians during the coronavirus pandemic. Can the minister please provide an update to the council about how the Marshall Liberal government is promoting public health and safety through ensuring that South Australia's most vulnerable continue to be supported during the response to COVID-19?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:52): I thank the honourable member for her question. In relation to the work of the Department of Human Services, can I start by commending them for the leadership they have shown at this very challenging time for all South Australians, particularly those who are vulnerable, who are on low incomes and the like, and who are supported through a range of the services that we provide. At this time, clearly, the health and safety of all clients, staff and the broader community is our utmost priority.

The Department of Human Services has activated full business continuity arrangements. An incident management team meets daily to lead the department's response across all of its businesses, and a dedicated COVID-19 response team is supporting the cross-departmental coordination and response. All DHS staff have been asked to work from home where possible and arrangements are being put in place to make that achievable.

All essential and high-sensitivity functions have been identified and strategies are in place to protect and support continued service delivery. These include support and care for people with disability; support for vulnerable families; interpreting and translating services, particularly in the very important health settings; the Adelaide Youth Training Centre; and employment-related screening services to enable rapid stand-up of additional workforce as required.

Extensive support and information is being provided to the non-government sector, who provide many crucial services across our community, such as disability support, food security and emergency financial assistance, family and domestic violence, and support to vulnerable families. Last week, the Department of Human Services organised a teleconference for all services and we are scheduling one for tomorrow afternoon, which will include the Premier and myself.

In terms of specific measures that we have introduced so far as a response, we are working with our partners to continue to deliver essential 24-hour-a-day domestic family and sexual violence services and, as I have mentioned, priority screening checks. We are also ensuring that we are practising physical distancing in our disability group homes, including some visiting restrictions to ensure the safety of residents; delivering services, including the Women's Information Service; and providing concessions for the Interpreting and Translating Centre through alternative communication channels.

We are establishing an online network of non-government service delivery providers to collaborate and reduce risks to vulnerable families; forecasting future staffing priorities and starting required skills training; providing additional cleaning regimes and physical distancing practices; practising physical distancing in the Adelaide Youth Training Centre where possible and increasing screening of visitors. We are also working with Volunteering SA and NT to support the volunteer workforce and those organisations that rely on volunteers for service delivery, and we are working with the food security sector, including Foodbank, as well as all related providers in the emergency sectors to support their important activities.

We stand-by with our non-government partners to ensure that we continue to deliver these essential services and look forward to continuing our work with them to ensure that we are able to provide continuity of service.

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