What a ride it’s been!
We have been working hard behind the scenes since Kelly delivered her maiden speech on May 13th. d4d is thrilled with the enormous support from around the nation and there is a general wave of excitement for the disability sector both in and outside of our state. The volume of calls has not waned and we thank you for the ongoing enthusiasm.
We are currently modifying our constitution to include provisions for our elected member(s) of parliament and the board has met regularly to work towards a strategic plan over the next eight years so that we can plan to field candidates at forthcoming elections. It will be great to have another voice to support Kelly.
I want to again personally thank the number of volunteers who have offered their time and resources for the benefit of d4d. Once our strategic plan has been approved by the Board of d4d we will have a structure to form a number of Committees and d4d looks forward to realising the many offers of help from our valuable volunteer base. Again - thanks for your patience and remember we have at least another eight years if not more of planning and assistance needed from our volunteers.
Kelly has found her feet in the Parliamentary Office thanks to her staff advisor Sam Paior. What a wonderful addition though to the team with Megan Folland leaving her job at Finlaysons Lawyers. Megan knows the intimate nature of the parliamentary processes and what a relief she has been for both Kelly and Sam in the office. Her legal skills will obviously not go to waste with all of the perusal of legislation!
It has taken some time but Kelly now has some supports related to her disability in place at work. The team have been meetings and touring with service providers and community groups, as well as meeting with government. It has been important for Kelly to visit these places and get in touch with our constituents which she loves to do. It was great to hear Kelly voice a question in Parliament about the lack of heating at Strathmont, given that many of those residents have no advocates to voice their needs. I have always lived by the adage that “it is better to ask the questions than know all the answers”, but I think it is about time that we get the answers to all of our questions.
On June 30 at 5pm The Hon Bill Shorten, Bruce Bonahady and The Hon Mitch Fifield will be attending a Town Hall style meeting at the Adelaide Town Hall, focussing on the potential of an NDIS style system of funding for disability related need. It will be hosted by Disability Speaks founder, David Holst, and Kelly Vincent will be speaking as well. It will be great to hear the positions on NDIS from both the government and the opposition and with Bruce Bonahady speaking we can all get an idea from the Productivity Commission whether people are serious about this issue or not!
Look forward to seeing you all there – further details to come!
Rick Neagle
