This month’s Advisory Network meeting was held at Victoria’s Parliament House. We were taken on a tour of Parliament House by the very informative and accommodating Iwan Walters MP. He showed us various rooms, including the Legislative Assembly (the green room) and the Legislative Council (the red room). He explained the purpose of these two spaces and answered all our questions about what goes on in these rooms. A lot of very important decisions that affect us all are made here. New and existing laws and ideas are proposed, discussed, debated and then and voted on. Exciting stuff!
We also were given a tour of the beautiful library, then onto the Queens Hall, where the walls were lined with portraits of prominent past and present Members of Parliament. We finally moved on to the Government Party Room, where we held our meeting.
The purpose for this meeting being held at Parliament House was to meet with our special guests: MPs Iwan Walters, Mary- Helen and Emma, who were there on behalf of the Minister for Disability, Lizzie Blandthorn. They were eager to hear and document the DSV Advisory Network’s concerns, questions, lived experiences and suggestions for improvements. Using our information, they will advocate for the DSV community in parliament, with the aim to make Victoria more inclusive.
Iwan elaborated on what the MPs responsibilities were, specifically Lizzie Blandthorn’s, to make sure there is funding in the disability sector for transport including accessible tram stops, digital inclusions, support animals, inclusive sports, housing and for the NDIS to run smoothly.
Iwan then introduced the topic of people with a disability experiencing mental health. We discussed that, reflecting on the 2020 Royal Commission and its quite shocking findings. We agreed that sadly these things take time to be implemented and there is a lot more to be done. Though, on a positive note, he reiterated there’s been much improvement since having the DSV Advisory Network involved, giving valuable first-hand experience.
We also discussed advancements in education options for people with a disability, including specialised schools and changing the way schools are structured. Also importantly, that teachers are trained to make sure people with a disability are accommodated for and recognise how they uniquely communicate, so it becomes an all-inclusive learning environment. Iwan shared his experience as a teacher 15 years ago, stating that things were very different in Victorian schools; kids with a disability were not included in many classroom activities due to lack of support and training. He also pointed out that we had trailblazers in the room, being the first ones sitting at that table, paving the way for future generations! There is so much to look forward to and be proud of.
Iwan added he will be speaking with the appropriate ministers at the next parliament sitting of the Legislative Council, to share everything we had discussed today. Iwan will get back to us with any progress he has made on the issues we raised in the meeting.
After the meeting closed, we were served a delicious Parliament House lunch and continued to enjoy the company and chatted amongst ourselves and with our new comrades.
It was a very special and memorable Advisory Network meeting, in such a grand, iconic venue, and with the most gracious host, Iwan Walters. I and other members of the committee were very grateful to have that opportunity.
Colby Hickey
DSV Advisory Network
