Source: Office of the Minister for Community Services, Hon. Gavin Jennings MLA

FROM THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

DATE: Monday, July 2, 2007

NEW DISABILITY ACT PROTECTS RIGHTS, IMPROVES SERVICES

The new Disability Act 2006 provides Victorians with a disability new legislative clout to ensure they are treated fairly and equally, Community Services Minister Gavin Jennings said today.

Mr Jennings also announced today that renowned community campaigner, Dr Rhonda Galbally AO has been appointed chair of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council (VDAC), established under the new Act.

“The new Disability Act, which came into effect on Sunday July 1 is a milestone for Victorians with a disability, their families, carers and support services,” Mr Jennings said.

“The new Act is focused on individuals and their place in the community.

“It recognises that people with a disability have the right to enjoy the same civil, cultural, economic, political and social opportunities as all others in our community.

“It provides Victorians with a disability access to independent systems for handling complaints, enshrines greater rights and requires better accountability and transparency of service providers.

“For the first time, it also includes a capacity for VCAT to review some decisions affecting people’s lives.”

Mr Jennings said a key component of the Disability Act was the creation of a Disability Services Commissioner, an independent body with powers to investigate and conciliate complaints.

“Commissioner Laurie Harkin and his Office are now available to assist people with complaints and will play an important role in promoting and protecting the rights of people accessing services, and in ensuring and improving the quality of services,” Mr Jennings said.

This authority is complimented by the establishment of the Office of the Senior Practitioner, whose role is to protect the rights of people subject to restrictive interventions or compulsory treatments.

Mr Jennings said the Act recognises the important role of VDAC which provides advice on whole-of-government whole-of-life issues affecting 987,000 Victorians living with a disability.

“Dr Galbally brings to the position of Chair more than 25 years experience in the public sector and most importantly a passion for improving the lives of people with a disability,” he said.

“I congratulate and look forward to working with Dr Galbally and the other 12 Council members as we all strive to ensure people with a disability are heard.

“VDAC is unique in that its membership is entirely comprised of people with a disability or parents of children with a disability.

“The Council will work with other local and national community and government advisory councils and bodies creating opportunities for all Victorians.”

Mr Jennings said the Disability Act - four years in the making - provided a framework for the delivery of a more flexible provision of supports based on maximum choice and individual requirements.

“It reflects the goals of the Victorian State Disability Plan 2002-2012 by focusing on whole-of-community responses for supporting people with a disability,” he said.

“The Act also seeks to ensure that services are of high quality and accountable to people with a disability.”

Dr Galbally is the CEO of Our Community and was chair of the former ministerial disability advisory council.

The members of the new VDAC are: Dr Rhonda Galbally AO (Chair); David Brant; Kathleen Brasher; Stephen Dabkowski; Kirsten Deane; Stuart Ewin; Lesley Hall; Phil Harper; Trish Malwoney; Milly Parker; Karleen Plunkett; Alan Robertson; Jody Saxton.