Thursday, 9 September 2021
$13.4 million over four years in 2021-22 State Budget to establish WA's first Office of Disability
Dedicated team to lead State Disability Strategy, advance reforms and provide leadership for the disability sector
Office to inform and advise the government on issues and experiences accessing the NDIS across WA
Part of the McGowan Government's commitment to invest in key services for all Western Australians
The McGowan Labor Government will establish the State's first Office of Disability ('the Office'), to promote the rights and interests of people with disabilities and the broader disability sector. The Office will act as a vital conduit of information and knowledge on the range and quality of services people with disability require. It will sit within the Department of Communities and provide disability sector stewardship, advice on State and Commonwealth systems, and drive work and innovation to advance inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in Western Australia. The Office will also provide leadership to implement, monitor and further develop 'A Western Australia for Everyone: State Disability Strategy 2020-2030'. The Office will support the WA Government to deliver on its long-term commitment to empowering people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the community and the economy. Importantly, the Office will also have a role in informing and advising the government on the experiences between Western Australians with disabilities, their families and carers and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The role and structure of the Office of Disability have been shaped by an extensive consultation and engagement process undertaken across the State in 2020, and its formation answers call from peak and advocacy bodies in the disability sector for such a body to be formed in WA. For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au Comments attributed to Disability Services Minister Don Punch: "The establishment of an Office of Disability will ensure disability continues to be at the forefront of the McGowan Government's focus, and that there is a strong voice advocating for people with disability across Government, the disability sector and the broader community. "The McGowan Government has an ongoing commitment to deliver better outcomes for the 411,500 Western Australians living with disability, as part of our commitment to investing in key services to support all Western Australians. "The new Office of Disability is key to both optimising the local delivery of the NDIS and increasing the economic and social participation of people with disability."
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