Page 3949 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 30 October 2013
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notice paper yesterday afternoon. He turned up at my office at 9.30. We were in caucus right until the bells rang, Mr Doszpot. So you had ample time to approach me in my office before this.
I do know that this is an area of great interest to Mr Doszpot. Indeed I believe it was in April that Mr Doszpot moved a very similar motion, and in the last sitting Mr Doszpot spoke on a very similar MPI proposed by Ms Lawder.
These are indeed important matters for this place to consider. I have always welcomed the opportunity to discuss the full range of services and support provided by both the Community Services Directorate and the Education and Training Directorate. I also welcome the ability and opportunity to discuss the full range of options that may be on the table following the implementation of the national disability insurance scheme. I have every confidence that the NDIS will deliver its aim of greater flexibility and support to people with a disability in the community.
I do not believe that Mr Doszpot’s motion, as it is presently worded, captures the level of change taking place in this area, which is why I move the following amendment that has been circulated in my name:
Omit paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), substitute:
“(1) notes:
(a) the University of Canberra has had preliminary discussions with the AEIOU Foundation about the possible establishment of an Autism Centre, but no formal proposal has yet been received by the University;
(b) the AEIOU Foundation recently wrote to ACT MLAs seeking to clarify the cost of its service model;
(c) on 16 May, as a result of a motion on 10 April, the Minister for Disability provided a report to the Assembly on the support provided for autism diagnosis and services and the potential for further reforms resulting from the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the National Plan for School Improvement; and
(d) representatives of the Ricky Stuart Foundation recently sought a meeting with the Minister for Education and Disability, and a meeting has been scheduled to discuss AEIOU’s proposal; and
(2) calls on the Assembly to recognise:
(a) the importance of providing early intervention services for children with autism spectrum disorders, and the significant support already provided by the ACT Government to people with autism; and
(b) the ACT Government’s willingness to explore new and innovative ways of supporting people with a disability, and to engage with non-government providers to explore such opportunities.
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