Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Ministers statements: inclusive education

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (12:28): I rise to update the house on how this government is doing what matters in the Education State, and that is our nation-leading work in supporting students with disabilities across our schools. Our $1.6 billion disability inclusion reforms are transforming our schools and transforming kids’ lives, but we are not stopping there. Since being re-elected we have not wasted a day. I have met with countless families and students and visited many schools, and I know how important our election commitment of fighting for students with disabilities is to so many families. At the election we committed $207 million to do what matters at Victorian specialist schools. This package includes after-school care at specialist schools where they have never had it before, NDIS navigators at every single specialist school, more assistance dogs and therapy dogs, more therapy pools, access to communication software – so important for kids that cannot speak – more extracurricular activities and a formal voice for young people and their families through the Premier’s advisory council.

We are also committed to delivering TAFE transition officers to give kids the future pathways that they absolutely deserve. We also want to ensure the best and brightest speech pathologists, occupational therapists and disability workers for students in specialist schools in regional and rural settings. We have committed to 1000 scholarships in these professions. Whether you send your child to a mainstream or a specialist school, the Andrews Labor government is committed to ensuring your child gets the education they deserve and that you get to make the choice for your child, because we know that is what matters.