Thursday, 2 May 2024

Floods

Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (09:52): During the regional sitting I asked the Minister for Children and Minister for Disability a question about the failure of the government or the department to contact Community Living and Respite Services in Echuca to offer assistance or inquire about clients that needed to be relocated due to the floods, including clients for whom the state is the guardian. The minister responded saying she rejected the premise of the question and that the department had very specific protocols to deal with these situations. During the lunchbreak Ms Crozier and I were both approached by a disability worker from another provider who confirmed that the service they work for had also not received any contact from the department or government.

Since the regional sitting I have also received an email from a worker in Shepparton that reads:

Thank you for your questions to the minister for Disability today. I am saddened her reply was so automatic.

I am a disability worker in Shepparton who evacuated and cared for 6 residents during the floods. Sometimes working back to back shifts as there was no staff available who could get there because of the floods.

We got zero support even for those who are state supported. No contact from anyone.

I agree with your comments wholeheartedly.

Clearly the government failed in its duty of care. The minister should apologise to the clients, the disability service providers and their staff and implement a review to establish why the state failed in its duty of care for vulnerable Victorians during the floods and provide a report to the Parliament.