Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Askew for her question. Tomorrow is International Day of People with Disability. Tomorrow, we recognise the contributions and achievements of the 4.4 million Australians who live with disabilities across our nation. I particularly acknowledge the impact that the COVID pandemic has had on people with disability, and the extraordinary resilience of people with disability and their families and carers and the way they came together to support each other through this difficult time. I also acknowledge the frontline disability workers, who have demonstrated incredible leadership and courage throughout the pandemic. Whether it be someone taking a person with disability to get that all-important COVID-19 vaccine or the way people changed how they undertook their care arrangements during lockdown, we acknowledge the contributions that all people who have been involved in this space made to help people with disability get through the pandemic.

This government is all about making sure that we also encourage people with disability to meet their aspirations, by providing them with opportunities and making sure that they are able to access the rewards so that they can fulfil their full potential. Tomorrow I will be launching Australia's disability strategy for 2021 to 2031. It is a commitment of all levels of government—state and territory, local, and the Commonwealth—to make sure that we understand our role in improving the lives of people who live with disability. This comes on top of more than 3,000 consultations with people with disability, peak bodies, carers, families and academics to make sure that the next national disability strategy—Australia's disability strategy—recognises the need to have a foundation to create generational change, and a society where all people with disability can reach their potential.