Mr WARREN - 2006-10-10
Last December, you announced a review of disability services throughout the Territory. Could you please update the House on the progress of that review?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. I know he is a very strong advocate of the needs of people with a disability. On 16 December last year, I launched a review of disability services right across the Territory. In doing so, I worked with my principal advisors on disability issues, the Disability Advisory Council, to establish the terms of reference for that review. This will be the first complete and comprehensive review of how the Northern Territory disability service system works.
The review will build on the significant investment this government has already made in disability services provision. We have doubled the budget - up by $32m to $65m this year. Our ambition is to build excellence in disability services. This means not just extra funding, but genuine engagement with people with disabilities, their carers and service providers to identify and respond to their current needs and, importantly, plan for our future needs. They will identify the practical things we need to do to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, their families and carers.
KPMG were appointed to undertake the review. Consultations have occurred right across the Territory, including 17 remote communities. The review will be completed this year. The review project management team included Ms Daphne Read, a senior executive member of Somerville Community Services. I note there are staff members here today from Somerville Community Services, and their executive officer, Vicki O’Halloran - I thank you for the work you do.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms LAWRIE: Somerville Community Services is an organisation that is one of our key partners in delivery, not just of disability services, but a whole range of services to Territorians in need. Somerville is an organisation that has stood the test of time. It has gone from strength to strength over 42 years. Somerville has become a part of the way of life in the Top End, from the Christmas gift wrapping service at Casuarina to numerous events throughout the year that provide a focus for bringing people together to create opportunities for Territorians.
I congratulate Somerville for their great work. It is an enormous effort for the paid staff, often above and beyond your normal working hours, and to all the volunteers who assist in the great work that Somerville does. I look forward to working with Somerville and our other community partners in implementation of the disability review findings.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. I know he is a very strong advocate of the needs of people with a disability. On 16 December last year, I launched a review of disability services right across the Territory. In doing so, I worked with my principal advisors on disability issues, the Disability Advisory Council, to establish the terms of reference for that review. This will be the first complete and comprehensive review of how the Northern Territory disability service system works.
The review will build on the significant investment this government has already made in disability services provision. We have doubled the budget - up by $32m to $65m this year. Our ambition is to build excellence in disability services. This means not just extra funding, but genuine engagement with people with disabilities, their carers and service providers to identify and respond to their current needs and, importantly, plan for our future needs. They will identify the practical things we need to do to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, their families and carers.
KPMG were appointed to undertake the review. Consultations have occurred right across the Territory, including 17 remote communities. The review will be completed this year. The review project management team included Ms Daphne Read, a senior executive member of Somerville Community Services. I note there are staff members here today from Somerville Community Services, and their executive officer, Vicki O’Halloran - I thank you for the work you do.
Members: Hear, hear!
Ms LAWRIE: Somerville Community Services is an organisation that is one of our key partners in delivery, not just of disability services, but a whole range of services to Territorians in need. Somerville is an organisation that has stood the test of time. It has gone from strength to strength over 42 years. Somerville has become a part of the way of life in the Top End, from the Christmas gift wrapping service at Casuarina to numerous events throughout the year that provide a focus for bringing people together to create opportunities for Territorians.
I congratulate Somerville for their great work. It is an enormous effort for the paid staff, often above and beyond your normal working hours, and to all the volunteers who assist in the great work that Somerville does. I look forward to working with Somerville and our other community partners in implementation of the disability review findings.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016