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General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2

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About this Item
Subjects -  Handicapped and Disabled; Training schemes; Parliamentary Committees: New South Wales: General Purpose
Speakers - Forsythe The Hon Patricia
Business - Committee, Report, Motion


    GENERAL PURPOSE STANDING COMMITTEE NO. 2
Page: 17548


    Report: Inquiry into Post School Programs for Young Adults with a Disability—Getting a Fair Go

    The Clerk announced the receipt, pursuant to standing orders, of report No. 20, entitled "Inquiry into Post School Programs for Young Adults with a Disability—Getting a Fair Go", dated August 2005, together with submissions, correspondence, tabled papers and transcripts of evidence.

    The Clerk announced further that, pursuant to standing orders, it had been authorised that the report be printed.

    The Hon. PATRICIA FORSYTHE [3.08 p.m.]: I move:

    That the House take note of the report.

    This inquiry came about following the abolition of the Adult Training, Learning and Support post-school program and the resulting outcry from the disability sector. The committee conducted extensive consultation across the State. The first major theme to emerge was the reduction in program quality and quantity. Time and again the committee heard that after the reforms many young people lost program hours and experienced a significant decline in program quality. The committee was particularly concerned about the impact on young people with high needs, who experienced some of the most severe reductions. Reduction in program hours and quality also affected families. The committee heard first-hand accounts of families who were forced to leave their children in respite care, as they could no longer care for them in their family home. Consequently, the report recommends that all young people should have a post-school program for four days each week and that young people with high needs should have a program for five days each week.

    The second major theme to emerge was the poor handling of the reform process by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. Witness after witness told the committee that the reform process was a shambles from beginning to end. The department did not consult before announcing the reforms and then kept people in the dark once the reforms were announced. The Minister repeatedly stated that the reforms should not lead to a reduction in hours of support, although that is exactly what occurred. The report shows that Adult Training, Learning and Support program reforms is a deplorable example of policymaking on the run, with no regard for the resulting hardship and distress. I call on the Government to implement the committee's recommendations as soon as possible, particularly the recommendation to increase program days.

    Debate adjourned on motion by the Hon. Patricia Forsythe.


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