Disability inclusion legislation
Gabrielle DE VIETRI (Richmond) (09:55): In the last term of Parliament the Victorian government drafted a disability inclusion bill. Just before the election they went as far as consulting with key groups. Disability advocates, local councils, the health community and legal experts all contributed submissions, sharing their expertise and their lived experience. But since then there has been no sign of the bill – it has been over a year now. This bill would promote inclusion and strengthen rights for the one in five Victorians who are disabled. It would compel government bodies and organisations to do disability impact assessments and disability action plans. It included a proposal for a commissioner for disability inclusion who would make sure that organisations and government departments would be held accountable for disability inclusion, with reporting requirements and consequences for not implementing measures.
The challenges faced by the disabled community are compounded by systemic barriers that non-disabled people just do not have to face. Governments can and should create laws that remove these barriers; I am sure everyone in this chamber agrees. Therefore I implore the government to follow through on their commitment to the disabled community in Victoria and bring the disability inclusion bill to Parliament as soon as possible.