Tuesday 20th September 2016
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has invited the panel of the All Party Inquiry into Autism Services to offer a public hearing in the Murray Plains electorate.
Mr Walsh said the inquiry is looking into the availability and adequacy of services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Its terms of reference include but are not limited to the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in Victoria the availability and adequacy of services; the adequacy of services to be provided under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); the evidence of the social and economic cost of failing to provide adequate services; and the projected demand for services in Victoria.
The first public hearing outside Melbourne was held in Geelong this week and Mr Walsh has called for the Murray Plains electorate to be included in the Public Hearings list for regional Victoria.
“Autism spectrum disorder affects so many young children but it also makes a significant impact on the entire family with a variety of social financial and practical demands ” Mr Walsh said
“A public hearing in our community will provide an important opportunity to highlight to the inquiry the demanding challenges autism presents in a rural setting.
“Our demand far outweighs our services and this inquiry provides a perfect opportunity to make our voices heard.”
Mr Walsh said he hopes to build a strong argument to influence the inquiry to visit the Murray Plains electorate.
“I encourage any of my constituents who are impacted by autism in any way and who wish to support my call for a local public hearing to contact me either by website www.peterwalsh.org.au or by email peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au ” he said.
