Victorian state election 2018: Autism groups band together to call for more funding, support
AUTISM support groups are calling for bipartisan funding ahead of the state election, amid fears a plan for better support has ‘stalled’.
Victoria State Election
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AUTISM support groups are calling for bipartisan funding ahead of the state election, amid fears a plan for better support has “stalled”.
Seven bodies that collectively represent 55,000 Victorians with autism have banded together to lobby Victoria’s major parties in the lead up to the November 24 poll.
Victoria had a parliamentary inquiry into autism support last year and has developed an Autism Plan.
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But it is not likely to be released before the election, sparking concern it will be put on the backburner.
AMAZE chief executive Fiona Sharkie said autism support services were “not a niche issue” with 85 per cent of Australians having personal contact with someone with autism.
She said good will built up through a parliamentary inquiry and work on the plan would disappear if the government failed to take action.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has pledged $50 million for autism support, including a new premier’s advisory council and $5 million for a public awareness campaign.
But the Andrews Government has not announced pre-election promises for autism support, although it did invest $22 million immediately after the inquiry.
“The Autism Plan has stalled and we don’t know what’s next with the momentum we have,” Ms Sharkie said.
“We are not going to have another parliamentary inquiry any time soon.
“We’ve got what we need to do so we are seeking commitments from all parties.”
The groups, which also include Aspergers Victoria, the Yellow Ladybugs and the Autism Family Support Association, have launched a public campaign for funding.
They will host a forum with candidates just a fortnight before the election.
A spokesman for Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said the government had invested more than $100 million in programs that supported people with disabilities, but that the Liberals would slash services.
“We’ve been working closely with the sector for over a year to develop a comprehensive Autism Plan and are working with schools to better identify the needs of students with autism and other disabilities,” he said.
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