Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

In the short time that I have tonight, I want to touch on a few things in relation to the Disability Services and Inclusion Bill 2023. I will probably come back and finish my speech tomorrow. I've been here for seven years now and, in this place, we have an opportunity to change people's lives for the better and, if we get it wrong, we change their lives for the worse. I am a dad of a daughter who lives with disabilities, Sarah. I'm very proud of my youngest daughter, Sarah. I know that tonight actually she is speaking at the Rotary Club of Mooloolaba about disabilities. I am really proud of her for reaching out into our community and talking about living with disability as a young person. She is a real inspiration and it is my privilege to be her dad. It's my privilege to try in some small way assist people with disabilities. Sarah has certainly taught me a hell of a lot about that. I'm very proud of you, Sarah.

There are 4.4 million Australians who live with disabilities. Those disabilities vary broadly and very widely as to whether they are physical or intellectual, and the scope of those disabilities vary. But one thing remains common amongst all people who live with disabilities, and that is that they want every opportunity to be able to enjoy the same quality of life and the same standard of living as people who live without disabilities—people like me, for example. Sarah tells me, 'Dad, all I want is to be able to live a good and meaningful life and have the same opportunities as everybody else.' When I travel with Sarah—even when we go to the supermarket—we get looks from people when they see Sarah. We get the look that makes me feel uncomfortable, and I know it makes my daughter feel uncomfortable as well.

Debate interrupted.

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