Ms O’CONNOR – Thank you, Chair, Minister. With the passing of the excellent disability inclusion and safeguarding bill, there’s expected to be an increased demand for legal representation for people with disabilities. Your Story was a legal service that acted as a crucial portal for individuals with disabilities to connect with various services including NDIS and health. Your Story has closed due to lack of funding. Minister, Tasmania’s Legal Aid outlined a clear budget proposal of about $270,000 to reinstate the Your Story program, including legal and administrative positions as well as overhead and operating costs. What is preventing the government from allocating these funds to assist people with disabilities navigate the legal and other government systems?
Mr BARNETT – Well, firstly, thank you for the question and concur with your remarks regarding the legislation, and it’s very pleasing to see its support. Having said that, you’ve made reference to Your Story and asked questions about it, and just a note for the committee that it’s a federal fund program which I am advised has now ceased by the federal government. And of course, those representations can and should be made to the federal government, and I appreciate their service and the federal government’s actions has had an impact here in Tasmania as I assume –
Ms O’CONNOR – Have you advocated for this service or for there to be better access to legal advice for people with disabilities, given the Commonwealth’s apparent failure?
Mr BARNETT – Well, I know the Minister for Disabilities is an outstanding minister who is incredibly dedicated with respect to people with disabilities, so I can’t speak for her. But I do know she is a very strong advocate.
Ms O’CONNOR – It’s about Legal Aid funding and the provision of legal assistance, though.
Mr BARNETT – Yes. Yes, that’s right. I’ve just acknowledged her strong advocacy, and we work together on a range of matters. But you know, certainly, I will acknowledge the comments that you’ve made, and I know that in the ongoing negotiations with the federal government, there may be an opportunity to further put that before them for consideration.
Ms O’CONNOR – Thanks, Chair.
