Published Wednesday, 10 September, 2008 at 02:15 PM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine

Free adult guardian forum

A free one-day community forum about guardianship and administration will be held by the Office of the Adult Guardian in Logan on Thursday 18 September.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said the forum would address some of the difficult issues that arise when people make decisions on behalf of vulnerable adults with impaired capacity.

“The forum will help to explain the workings of the guardianship and administration system, which is set up to protect vulnerable adults and their rights,” Mr Shine said.

“It will give members of the Logan community a chance to learn about how decisions regarding our health, money and lifestyle will be made for us and the people we love if one day we cannot make our own decisions.

“People may find themselves in that position for a variety of reasons - perhaps as a result of aging, an accident, a mental illness or an intellectual disability.”

Adult Guardian Dianne Pendergast said the program consisted of a number of important discussions about different parts of the guardianship and administration system, followed by a free morning tea and lunch and an open question and answer forum.

“If you understand how the system works and why, you can plan for the time when you or the people you love cannot make your own decisions, and ensure you have the best protection available,” Ms Pendergast said.

“Residents from Logan, Woodridge, Kingston, Springwood, Slacks Creek and Daisy Hill are encouraged to attend the free forum, which will be held at the Logan Diggers Club from 8:30am to 4:00pm.”

The forum program is available online at www.justice.qld.gov.au/guardianshipforum.

For more information, please contact the Office of the Adult Guardian on 1300 653 187.
Please RSVP before 12 September 2008, by phoning 3109 9115 or 3109 9168 or by emailing community.liason@justice.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273