❓ A WA parliament question addresses the lack of disability services in the Goldfields region, prompted by a mother's awareness walk. The Minister acknowledges the issue, highlights increased funding, and commits to future engagement, while also noting limitations and ongoing efforts.
AnsweredQoN 221Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DISABILITY SERVICES — GOLDFIELDS REGION
Is the minister aware that today a mother from Kalgoorlie completed her walk from Kalgoorlie to Perth? She was met on the steps of Parliament House by the member for Kalgoorlie. She walked 600 kilometres with her 72-year-old father to highlight the lack of support for disability services, particularly in the goldfields. What comfort can the minister give her and her supporters that something will be done about the lack of disability services throughout the state, particularly in the goldfields? Ms S.M. McHALE
Is the minister aware that today a mother from Kalgoorlie completed her walk from Kalgoorlie to Perth? She was met on the steps of Parliament House by the member for Kalgoorlie. She walked 600 kilometres with her 72-year-old father to highlight the lack of support for disability services, particularly in the goldfields. What comfort can the minister give her and her supporters that something will be done about the lack of disability services throughout the state, particularly in the goldfields? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question. I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for introducing me to Jo Russell when she arrived at Parliament House today. Jo is inspirational. She is the mother of two children. She is a registered nurse, but she looks after her children full-time. Like all parents she wants the very best for her children. I congratulate Jo on her initiative. I also congratulate her family, because it was a family affair. It took Jo 14 days to walk from Kalgoorlie to Perth. Jo is a very fit woman. I admire her stamina and her willingness to use the walk as an awareness campaign and as a fundraising campaign for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The primary purpose for the walk was to raise awareness. I am grateful to Jo for her inspirational efforts. Jo reiterated what we all know; namely, that the demands on families with family members with disabilities is significant. Having been the disability services minister on and off for nearly eight years, I am aware of the increasing demands on taxpayers and government services from families with family members with disabilities. No matter how much money we put into disability services, there will always be greater demand. That is the unfortunate reality. What I can say to Jo and her family is that since coming to government, we have doubled the money that is spent in the goldfields region. We have more than doubled that money this financial year. The budget will be released tomorrow. One of our key focuses will be to ensure that the people of this state enjoy the benefits of our great economic boom. That has long been the government’s platform. Another thing that I want to say to Jo and her family is that we are doing all that we can. Our effort over the past eight years has been significant, as has been the amount of money that we have put into disability services. Whatever we put in will never be enough. We are working with the federal government to increase its efforts. The message is getting through. Mr M.J. Birney : Jo has been working with a group of people in Kalgoorlie who have children with disabilities. They would love it if you were able to visit them in Kalgoorlie to discuss the issues that they are trying to raise. Will you commit to visiting them in the next two or three weeks? Ms S.M. McHALE : I would love to commit to visiting Kalgoorlie, and I will, but not in the next two or three weeks. I will explain my diary. The estimates committee is sitting after next week. I am needed to explain the significance of our disability budget. The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for introducing me to Jo Russell when she arrived at Parliament House today. Jo is inspirational. She is the mother of two children. She is a registered nurse, but she looks after her children full-time. Like all parents she wants the very best for her children. I congratulate Jo on her initiative. I also congratulate her family, because it was a family affair. It took Jo 14 days to walk from Kalgoorlie to Perth. Jo is a very fit woman. I admire her stamina and her willingness to use the walk as an awareness campaign and as a fundraising campaign for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The primary purpose for the walk was to raise awareness. I am grateful to Jo for her inspirational efforts. Jo reiterated what we all know; namely, that the demands on families with family members with disabilities is significant. Having been the disability services minister on and off for nearly eight years, I am aware of the increasing demands on taxpayers and government services from families with family members with disabilities. No matter how much money we put into disability services, there will always be greater demand. That is the unfortunate reality. What I can say to Jo and her family is that since coming to government, we have doubled the money that is spent in the goldfields region. We have more than doubled that money this financial year. The budget will be released tomorrow. One of our key focuses will be to ensure that the people of this state enjoy the benefits of our great economic boom. That has long been the government’s platform. Another thing that I want to say to Jo and her family is that we are doing all that we can. Our effort over the past eight years has been significant, as has been the amount of money that we have put into disability services. Whatever we put in will never be enough. We are working with the federal government to increase its efforts. The message is getting through. Mr M.J. Birney : Jo has been working with a group of people in Kalgoorlie who have children with disabilities. They would love it if you were able to visit them in Kalgoorlie to discuss the issues that they are trying to raise. Will you commit to visiting them in the next two or three weeks? Ms S.M. McHALE : I would love to commit to visiting Kalgoorlie, and I will, but not in the next two or three weeks. I will explain my diary. The estimates committee is sitting after next week. I am needed to explain the significance of our disability budget. The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
I thank the member for his question. I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for introducing me to Jo Russell when she arrived at Parliament House today. Jo is inspirational. She is the mother of two children. She is a registered nurse, but she looks after her children full-time. Like all parents she wants the very best for her children. I congratulate Jo on her initiative. I also congratulate her family, because it was a family affair. It took Jo 14 days to walk from Kalgoorlie to Perth. Jo is a very fit woman. I admire her stamina and her willingness to use the walk as an awareness campaign and as a fundraising campaign for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The primary purpose for the walk was to raise awareness. I am grateful to Jo for her inspirational efforts. Jo reiterated what we all know; namely, that the demands on families with family members with disabilities is significant. Having been the disability services minister on and off for nearly eight years, I am aware of the increasing demands on taxpayers and government services from families with family members with disabilities. No matter how much money we put into disability services, there will always be greater demand. That is the unfortunate reality. What I can say to Jo and her family is that since coming to government, we have doubled the money that is spent in the goldfields region. We have more than doubled that money this financial year. The budget will be released tomorrow. One of our key focuses will be to ensure that the people of this state enjoy the benefits of our great economic boom. That has long been the government’s platform. Another thing that I want to say to Jo and her family is that we are doing all that we can. Our effort over the past eight years has been significant, as has been the amount of money that we have put into disability services. Whatever we put in will never be enough. We are working with the federal government to increase its efforts. The message is getting through. Mr M.J. Birney : Jo has been working with a group of people in Kalgoorlie who have children with disabilities. They would love it if you were able to visit them in Kalgoorlie to discuss the issues that they are trying to raise. Will you commit to visiting them in the next two or three weeks? Ms S.M. McHALE : I would love to commit to visiting Kalgoorlie, and I will, but not in the next two or three weeks. I will explain my diary. The estimates committee is sitting after next week. I am needed to explain the significance of our disability budget. The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Mr M.J. Birney : Jo has been working with a group of people in Kalgoorlie who have children with disabilities. They would love it if you were able to visit them in Kalgoorlie to discuss the issues that they are trying to raise. Will you commit to visiting them in the next two or three weeks? Ms S.M. McHALE : I would love to commit to visiting Kalgoorlie, and I will, but not in the next two or three weeks. I will explain my diary. The estimates committee is sitting after next week. I am needed to explain the significance of our disability budget. The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Ms S.M. McHALE : I would love to commit to visiting Kalgoorlie, and I will, but not in the next two or three weeks. I will explain my diary. The estimates committee is sitting after next week. I am needed to explain the significance of our disability budget. The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for introducing me to Jo Russell when she arrived at Parliament House today. Jo is inspirational. She is the mother of two children. She is a registered nurse, but she looks after her children full-time. Like all parents she wants the very best for her children. I congratulate Jo on her initiative. I also congratulate her family, because it was a family affair. It took Jo 14 days to walk from Kalgoorlie to Perth. Jo is a very fit woman. I admire her stamina and her willingness to use the walk as an awareness campaign and as a fundraising campaign for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The primary purpose for the walk was to raise awareness. I am grateful to Jo for her inspirational efforts. Jo reiterated what we all know; namely, that the demands on families with family members with disabilities is significant. Having been the disability services minister on and off for nearly eight years, I am aware of the increasing demands on taxpayers and government services from families with family members with disabilities. No matter how much money we put into disability services, there will always be greater demand. That is the unfortunate reality. What I can say to Jo and her family is that since coming to government, we have doubled the money that is spent in the goldfields region. We have more than doubled that money this financial year. The budget will be released tomorrow. One of our key focuses will be to ensure that the people of this state enjoy the benefits of our great economic boom. That has long been the government’s platform. Another thing that I want to say to Jo and her family is that we are doing all that we can. Our effort over the past eight years has been significant, as has been the amount of money that we have put into disability services. Whatever we put in will never be enough. We are working with the federal government to increase its efforts. The message is getting through. Mr M.J. Birney : Jo has been working with a group of people in Kalgoorlie who have children with disabilities. They would love it if you were able to visit them in Kalgoorlie to discuss the issues that they are trying to raise. Will you commit to visiting them in the next two or three weeks? Ms S.M. McHALE : I would love to commit to visiting Kalgoorlie, and I will, but not in the next two or three weeks. I will explain my diary. The estimates committee is sitting after next week. I am needed to explain the significance of our disability budget. The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
I thank the member for his question. I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for introducing me to Jo Russell when she arrived at Parliament House today. Jo is inspirational. She is the mother of two children. She is a registered nurse, but she looks after her children full-time. Like all parents she wants the very best for her children. I congratulate Jo on her initiative. I also congratulate her family, because it was a family affair. It took Jo 14 days to walk from Kalgoorlie to Perth. Jo is a very fit woman. I admire her stamina and her willingness to use the walk as an awareness campaign and as a fundraising campaign for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The primary purpose for the walk was to raise awareness. I am grateful to Jo for her inspirational efforts. Jo reiterated what we all know; namely, that the demands on families with family members with disabilities is significant. Having been the disability services minister on and off for nearly eight years, I am aware of the increasing demands on taxpayers and government services from families with family members with disabilities. No matter how much money we put into disability services, there will always be greater demand. That is the unfortunate reality. What I can say to Jo and her family is that since coming to government, we have doubled the money that is spent in the goldfields region. We have more than doubled that money this financial year. The budget will be released tomorrow. One of our key focuses will be to ensure that the people of this state enjoy the benefits of our great economic boom. That has long been the government’s platform. Another thing that I want to say to Jo and her family is that we are doing all that we can. Our effort over the past eight years has been significant, as has been the amount of money that we have put into disability services. Whatever we put in will never be enough. We are working with the federal government to increase its efforts. The message is getting through. Mr M.J. Birney : Jo has been working with a group of people in Kalgoorlie who have children with disabilities. They would love it if you were able to visit them in Kalgoorlie to discuss the issues that they are trying to raise. Will you commit to visiting them in the next two or three weeks? Ms S.M. McHALE : I would love to commit to visiting Kalgoorlie, and I will, but not in the next two or three weeks. I will explain my diary. The estimates committee is sitting after next week. I am needed to explain the significance of our disability budget. The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Mr M.J. Birney : Jo has been working with a group of people in Kalgoorlie who have children with disabilities. They would love it if you were able to visit them in Kalgoorlie to discuss the issues that they are trying to raise. Will you commit to visiting them in the next two or three weeks? Ms S.M. McHALE : I would love to commit to visiting Kalgoorlie, and I will, but not in the next two or three weeks. I will explain my diary. The estimates committee is sitting after next week. I am needed to explain the significance of our disability budget. The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Ms S.M. McHALE : I would love to commit to visiting Kalgoorlie, and I will, but not in the next two or three weeks. I will explain my diary. The estimates committee is sitting after next week. I am needed to explain the significance of our disability budget. The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
The final point I want to make is that because of our efforts, particularly in regional Western Australia over the coming months — Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe to order for the third and final time. Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
Ms S.M. McHALE : The Disability Services Commission engaged private practitioners to undertake assessments of children with autism. They are waiting for an intervention assessment. Because of that, we have been able to reduce the waiting time from four months to two months—so we have cut the waiting time for families in regional Western Australia. Two children are currently waiting for assessment. We have brought the number down from eight. I would like the member for Murchison-Eyre and the member for Kalgoorlie in particular to take back to Jo our collective thanks and to assure her that we are doing everything to increase the financial effort. As a result, we have cut the waiting time and we have cut the numbers. I am happy to talk to the families.
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