Parliamentary Question Without Notice | Future of Highgate Park
07/07/2016
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the minister representing the Minister for Disabilities about the future of Highgate Park.
Leave granted.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: On Tuesday, I asked questions about Highgate Park, and given the minister representing the Minister for Disabilities seemed confused about what Highgate Park is, for the record Highgate Park is a residential facility or home in the suburb of Highgate, which was previously known as Julia Farr. I believe it is just a couple of kilometres away from where the honourable Minister for Police was educated. It is just off Fullarton Road, and I would be happy to take him there one day, if he would like.
Notwithstanding, clients of Highgate Park have multiple complex health and disability related needs. With the changes of the NDIS coming, many of the clients at Highgate Park are anxious about their futures, as they have noticed cuts to staff and services in recent times at Highgate Park. I also note that Highgate Park, through DCSI, has been advertising, as I understand it, to employ support workers. My questions to the minister are: does the minister understand that clients transitioned onto NDIS plans prior to their 65th birthday will remain on NDIS plans, and if she understands that, why did she say that only clients under 60 years of age would be transitioning onto the NDIS?
The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety): I thank the honourable member for her question. I also thank her for her explanation. I have to confess that I did not quite understand her when she asked her question the other day and maybe misheard, but I nevertheless thank her for drawing my attention to the information she has provided to me. That will facilitate my capacity to get a speedy response when I refer the question to the responsible minister in the other place for a response.
