Motion Justice for Disabled
19/10/2011
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (20:53): Thank you, Mr President.
The Hon. S.G. Wade: Which one are you speaking to?
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I was just about to clarify, thank you. Can I start by thanking members for their contributions today, particularly the Hon. Mr Wade for being so enthusiastic about the idea that he wished to discuss both motions at once. It is very heartening to see that our legislators still have some enthusiasm in their work. Of course, I would like to thank all contributors today—the Hon. Ms Franks on behalf of the Greens, the Hon. Ms Bressington, the Hon. Stephen Wade and the Hon. Mr Brokenshire—for their support of this committee.
I would especially like to thank Mr Wade, representing the Liberal Party, for understanding the need for this committee to exist as a select committee rather than being deferred to a standing committee such as the Legislative Review Committee or the Social Development Committee, because I understand that they originally intended to table an amendment to defer this issue to one of those committees.
I have made it clear to them that I consider it mandatory that this be a committee of its own. That is because I believe that this council contains many members who have a particular interest and, indeed, a particular worthy expertise in the areas of justice and the justice system—and in particular child protection, which I think is also pertinent to this topic—who are not necessarily members of those committees. I am grateful for members’ patience in establishing yet another select committee to tackle this issue. I think that it will be well worthwhile. As Mr Brokenshire said, it is terribly unfortunate that this select committee discussing this terribly tragic topic has to exist at all, but it is undoubtedly important because, as the Hon. Ms Franks said, those who are most vulnerable are those who are currently most let down by the system.
As the Hon. Ms Bressington pointed out, we have much to learn about the topic of expanding access to our justice system, and we could certainly learn a lot of that from existing jurisdictions across Australia and overseas, particularly in Victoria, where an organisation called Communication Rights Australia exists to aid people with intellectual and communication disabilities in giving evidence in a court. I will not go too far into that as I have already touched on it in my speech introducing this motion, but I would again now remind and encourage members to look into the work of that great organisation.
We have of course seen that, in the blueprint for disability reform which was tabled today, there is a priority recommendation that the issue of access to justice and the police and judiciary systems is examined by this government. However, I still consider it very necessary that this committee go ahead, especially given that no matter how wonderful the recommendations in this report may be, we have certainly seen in the past reports, such as the Layton report into child abuse, where—
The Hon. S.G. Wade: And the Mullighan report.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: —indeed—a number of worthwhile recommendations were made but barely any of them were actually implemented by the government. Therefore now, years down the track, we are actually going back to that report in the light of recent cases of abuse of people with disabilities, such as those who were discussed in the Four Corners program. We are now going back to that report all these years later to again try to implement those recommendations. I believe that this committee is terribly important in helping to ensure that the recommendations in the blueprint today are indeed carried out, and for that reason I consider that this committee will be complementary to the blueprint and not in any way disruptive to it.
I would also like to make mention again of a few things that I have mentioned before many times. The Hon. Stephen Wade pointed out very eloquently that the Shut Out report, for instance, clearly indicates the societal ramifications of having inadequate protection for people with disabilities under the law: the lack of community participation, the lack of feeling of respect and value in our society so I hope to tackle that as well, and also, as Mr Stephen Wade pointed out, the need for a needs-based approach to disability services provision and disability funding, rather than a diagnostic approach.
As I said, I have already touched on that several times and will not take up too much of the council’s time this evening by going any further. Again, we have heard the need for monitoring and legislative protection in terms of restrictive practices in the disability sector and also a community visitor scheme, and these are things that I hope not only to tackle in this committee but intend to tackle on a legislative level in the coming months in this parliament.
With that said, I thank members for their contributions and their understanding of the need for another select committee. I look forward very much to participating in this committee, and I hope to make some changes to this very important sector of our community.
Motion carried.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (21:00): I move:
That the select committee consists of the Hon T.A. Franks, the Hon. Carmel Zollo, the Hon. S.G. Wade, the Hon. A. Bressington and the mover.
Motion carried.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I move:
That the select committee have power to send for persons, papers and records, to adjourn from place to place and to report on 23 November 2011.
Motion carried.
and these are things that I hope not only to tackle in this committee but intend to tackle on a legislative level in the coming months in this parliament.
With that said, I thank members for their contributions and their understanding of the need for another select committee. I look forward very much to participating in this committee, and I hope to make some changes to this very important sector of our community.
Motion carried.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (21:00): I move:
That the select committee consists of the Hon T.A. Franks, the Hon. Carmel Zollo, the Hon. S.G. Wade, the Hon. A. Bressington and the mover.
Motion carried.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I move:
That the select committee have power to send for persons, papers and records, to adjourn from place to place and to report on 23 November 2011.
Motion carried.
