Tuesday, 28 November 2023

Ministers statements: Changing Places

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:16): I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s continuing investment in Changing Places around the state. Last week I was proud to join my colleagues Minister Spence and Kat Theophanous MP, as well as Darebin mayor Julie Williams, to open the new Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre. The Victorian government supported the construction of a Changing Place at this new facility, ensuring that people of all physical abilities would have access to its benefits. As members would know, Changing Places have a height-adjustable adult-sized change table, a ceiling tracking hoist and space for two people either side of a central toilet. These facilities are crucial for the 382,000 people who have high support needs and who rely on these toilets to access popular tourist locations, parks and events as well as key services such as education.

The Victorian government is proud to lead the nation in the rollout of these facilities, and our investment, which amounts to around $10 million since 2015, has supported the construction of these facilities across metropolitan, regional and rural areas. The 2022–23 state budget included funding to further expand the network of Changing Places across Victoria, and as a result 13 new Changing Places will be built in popular tourist destinations and community spaces across the state.

But funding the rollout of these facilities is just one way the Labor government is promoting disability inclusion. Inclusive Victoria’s state disability plan continues to drive systemic change across government, embedding principles of co-design, accessible communications, universal design and disability confident and inclusive workplaces. Moreover, our transformative investments in education and early childhood demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting children and young people through these formative years: $1.6 billion in the 2020–21 budget to support disability inclusion reforms; an extra $235 million in this year’s budget to help students living with disability, their carers and their families; and a $16.9 million boost in 2022–23 for the kindergarten inclusion support program.

Some may try to argue that states and territories have abandoned people with disability; in Victoria this could not be more wrong. Whether it is a new Changing Place facility, more inclusive education or accessible transport, this government is dedicated to making our community more accessible and inclusive.