QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT’S $113 MILLION RESPONSE TO THE CARTER REPORT
Published Tuesday, 22 May, 2007 at 01:10 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Next month’s State Budget will provide $113M to fundamentally improve the lives of people with an intellectual disability who exhibit severely challenging behaviour and the working conditions of the staff who care for them.
Premier Peter Beattie and the Minister for Disability Services, Warren Pitt announced the money will be used to establish a new centre of excellence, provide purpose-built accommodation and recruit 188 new frontline staff in response to the Carter report.
A range of ground-breaking initiatives would be delivered over the next four years as part of the government’s response to a report by the Honourable William Carter QC, Challenging Behaviours and Disability — A Targeted Response.
“This innovative package of reform will ensure that people with an intellectual disability and severely challenging behaviours have every possible opportunity to live and participate in their community,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are talking about a $113 million investment over the next four years to ensure that we protect the rights of, and provide a positive future for, a small group of Queenslanders who have both an intellectual disability and severely challenging behaviours,” the Premier said.
He said providing appropriate support to this small group of Queenslanders was a particularly complex and challenging area within the disability sector, as from time to time their behaviour could pose a threat to their own well-being as well as that of those around them.
“Supporting this group of people has been a significant challenge for governments and community service providers around Australia for many years,” the Premier said.
Minister Pitt said work on the new initiatives had begun already and would build over the next four years.
“I am particularly excited about the establishment of a Specialist Response Service, which will provide positive and constructive support to meet the needs of this small group of Queenslanders,” he said.
“Last year I asked Judge Carter to consider the options for a legislative and service response and to provide recommendations which would address the challenges involved in providing support to this group,” he said.
“Since receiving the report, the government has been busy considering Mr Carter’s recommendations and how best we could respond to them in a comprehensive and meaningful manner, taking into account the costing of all options.
“What we have developed is an entirely new approach — an innovative response service that is supported by a centre of excellence, which will bring together experts in positive behaviour support.”
Mr Pitt said the Specialist Response Service would provide innovative and specialist responses, ensuring the use of least restrictive alternatives at all times.
“The service will also provide specialist support and expert advice on the use of restrictive practices, if and when, they are required,” he said.
“It is important to note that the government response is based upon a transitional model with specialised therapeutic intervention and support — it is about working with people towards increased participation in community life.”
New legislation would provide the legal foundation for the delivery of the service, which includes stringent safeguards to protect the rights of this very specific group of people.
“I am enormously proud of the innovative solutions we have developed in response to Mr Carter’s report, and believe that Queensland is now taking the lead on this particular disability issue,” Mr Pitt said.
“Through our service and the associated centre of excellence, we will be at the forefront of research and innovation in this complex area — and that will benefit our community in many ways.”
For more information on the government’s response to Judge Carter’s report, Challenging Behaviours and Disability — A Targeted Response, visit www.disability.qld.gov.au
Tuesday May 22, 2007
Media contact: Joe Begley – Minister’s Office – 3235 4280
Premier Peter Beattie and the Minister for Disability Services, Warren Pitt announced the money will be used to establish a new centre of excellence, provide purpose-built accommodation and recruit 188 new frontline staff in response to the Carter report.
A range of ground-breaking initiatives would be delivered over the next four years as part of the government’s response to a report by the Honourable William Carter QC, Challenging Behaviours and Disability — A Targeted Response.
“This innovative package of reform will ensure that people with an intellectual disability and severely challenging behaviours have every possible opportunity to live and participate in their community,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are talking about a $113 million investment over the next four years to ensure that we protect the rights of, and provide a positive future for, a small group of Queenslanders who have both an intellectual disability and severely challenging behaviours,” the Premier said.
He said providing appropriate support to this small group of Queenslanders was a particularly complex and challenging area within the disability sector, as from time to time their behaviour could pose a threat to their own well-being as well as that of those around them.
“Supporting this group of people has been a significant challenge for governments and community service providers around Australia for many years,” the Premier said.
Minister Pitt said work on the new initiatives had begun already and would build over the next four years.
“I am particularly excited about the establishment of a Specialist Response Service, which will provide positive and constructive support to meet the needs of this small group of Queenslanders,” he said.
“Last year I asked Judge Carter to consider the options for a legislative and service response and to provide recommendations which would address the challenges involved in providing support to this group,” he said.
“Since receiving the report, the government has been busy considering Mr Carter’s recommendations and how best we could respond to them in a comprehensive and meaningful manner, taking into account the costing of all options.
“What we have developed is an entirely new approach — an innovative response service that is supported by a centre of excellence, which will bring together experts in positive behaviour support.”
Mr Pitt said the Specialist Response Service would provide innovative and specialist responses, ensuring the use of least restrictive alternatives at all times.
“The service will also provide specialist support and expert advice on the use of restrictive practices, if and when, they are required,” he said.
“It is important to note that the government response is based upon a transitional model with specialised therapeutic intervention and support — it is about working with people towards increased participation in community life.”
New legislation would provide the legal foundation for the delivery of the service, which includes stringent safeguards to protect the rights of this very specific group of people.
“I am enormously proud of the innovative solutions we have developed in response to Mr Carter’s report, and believe that Queensland is now taking the lead on this particular disability issue,” Mr Pitt said.
“Through our service and the associated centre of excellence, we will be at the forefront of research and innovation in this complex area — and that will benefit our community in many ways.”
For more information on the government’s response to Judge Carter’s report, Challenging Behaviours and Disability — A Targeted Response, visit www.disability.qld.gov.au
Tuesday May 22, 2007
Media contact: Joe Begley – Minister’s Office – 3235 4280