Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

( Tomorrow, 3 December, is the International Day of People with Disability, a day dedicated to placing a greater emphasis on the abilities and achievements of people living with a disability. This is a United Nations sanctioned day aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of persons with a disability and celebrating their achievements.

I was very pleased to hear about the winners of the National Disability Awards recently. I will not be able to go through all the winners, but I want to particularly pay tribute to the winner of the Prime Minister's Outstanding Achievement Award, Ms Lesley Hall. Unfortunately, Lesley passed away earlier this year and was unable to accept her award, but, in my dealings with Lesley in the previous government, she was an outstanding contributor to the area of disabilities and an outstanding advocate for those who need it most.

This year, 2013, the theme for the International Day of People with Disability is: breaking barriers and opening doors—to realise an inclusive society for all. It is important, as we roll out the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which will change the lives of so many, that we do not forget that we need to continually strive to make our society more inclusive for people with a disability. That goes across a whole range of things, not just services. Whether it is transport or buildings or employment, we need to continue to ensure that people have access to the most important fundamental things in life. (Time expired)