Disability inclusion package
Ms THOMAS (Macedon) (17:42): (5366) The matter I wish to raise is for the attention of the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is that the minister provide me with a briefing about how the Andrews Labor government’s disability inclusion package will support students at every government school in my electorate. I was so proud to see the 2020–21 budget’s unprecedented investment of nearly $1.6 billion to make sure our students with a disability are supported at school. This crucial funding will double the number of students receiving extra support in the classroom to 55 000 students, and all of our schools will benefit from this change. It will enable our schools to better support students who may previously have been ineligible for that all-important targeted support, including children with autism, dyslexia and complex behaviours. As part of the disability inclusion package, more than $19 million will be provided for the autism education strategy to better meet the educational needs and aspirations of autistic students in our government schools, supporting them, their families and our teachers.
The Andrews Labor government is shifting our approach. We are putting students at the very heart of our response and focusing on what children can achieve instead of what they cannot. Minister, I know that schools in my electorate were so excited to hear about this new package, and the families across my electorate were joyful when they heard about this unprecedented investment. I have heard feedback from the principals as well. The disability inclusion package is life changing, and I look forward to receiving this important briefing from the minister.