Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Ministers statements: Changing Places

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:33): I rise to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is supporting those with disability to access appropriate amenities across our state. In the 2022–23 state budget, we allocated $5.4 million to construct 30 Changing Places facilities, and last week I was delighted to announce that we are opening the latest round of grants for councils, not-for-profit organisations and tourism operators to build Changing Places facilities. Changing Places are accessible public toilets and change rooms for people with disability –

Jaclyn Symes: They’re so good.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: They are awesome, Attorney-General. They make community spaces more accessible, including at popular tourist destinations as well as events, and they make them far more accessible for people with disability. They provide suitable facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets and ensure that all Victorians are able to enjoy the best of what this state has to offer. We know that they make a real difference in people’s lives. Victoria initiated construction of these facilities, and we continue to lead the way, building more of these critical pieces of infrastructure. After the first Australian Changing Places opened in Victoria in 2014, there are now 248 Changing Places across Australia. 113 of them are in Victoria.

It is not only grants to build Changing Places that we are supporting. Thanks to investments from our government there have been improvements to the national Changing Places website, making it more accessible, secure and functional for all users. The redeveloped website will make it easier to find the nearest Changing Places and also information for organisations wanting to construct Changing Places facilities. The website can be visited at changingplaces.org.au.

The latest Changing Places funding round will provide funding for Changing Places facilities across two streams: local government and not-for-profit organisations, and popular tourism destinations and attractions. The funding round is now open and closes on 14 April, with up to $180,000 funded towards each facility. We encourage Victorian local governments, not-for-profits and community organisations as well as tourist attractions or destinations to apply so that together we can build a more accessible state.