Friday 10th February 2017
The Parliamentary Inquiry into the availability and adequacy of services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder will visit Swan Hill next week.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the public hearing will provide an important opportunity to highlight the demanding challenges autism presents in a rural setting.
The Family and Community Development committee will hear first hand from people living in the country with Autism Spectrum Disorder including their families as well as local health care providers educators and support groups.
Mr Walsh said that in September 2016 he wrote to the committee and asked them to provide a public hearing in Swan Hill.
“I was keen to ensure that the very deserving families in the Murray Plains electorate had a chance to impress on the committee the challenges they face accessing appropriate services now and into the future ” Mr Walsh said.
“It is vital that adequate facilities and services are provided in country settings if people on the autism spectrum are to reach their potential ” Mr Walsh said.
The hearing has been strongly supported by families and support groups from Swan Hill and also as far as Kyabram and Echuca.
“I thank those people who are giving their time to present to the inquiry. It is really important that when we have opportunities like this in our country towns we make the most of it ” Mr Walsh said.
The public hearing will be held on Tuesday 14th February 2017 from 9:00 to 1:00 pm at the Swan Hill Town Hall Performing Arts and Conference Centre Meeting Room 2 53-57 McCallum Street Swan Hill.
