Ms ROSOL – Honourable Speaker, I want to begin by echoing the words of other people who have spoken in here this afternoon. I know also, in the other place, much has been spoken about the importance of the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Bill and what a significant piece of legislation it was. It is not that long ago since we passed it and I think that we are all still pleased with that, and still appreciating the value and the importance of that bill.
As we debate this bill today ‑ and the Greens will definitely be supporting this bill ‑ I acknowledge and recognise the importance of the principal bill that we passed last year. When we finished debating that bill last year, there was some conversation about it being the beginning of changes that would come and it would make a difference for people who live with disability. I think the bill that we are debating today is part of that, ensuring that the principal Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Bill does the work that it is meant to, and is able to do that smoothly and transition into it.
I recognise the things that this bill will do in ensuring that decisions made under the old act are validated as if they were made under the new provisions. When they commence, this bill will provide for the annual report under the new act to be able to cover the period for which the old act was in force in the year in which the acts transition.
This bill ensures that restrictive practice, approvals, application and reviews that are enforced or in progress on the transition day remain in force or in progress under the new provisions, and information held under the provisions of the old act are held under the provisions of the new act. It also amends other legislation and ensures that references to the old act are replaced with references to the new act. On the surface, these might seem like small changes, but I think they are all part of that big change that we are working towards.
It is our pleasure to support this and to help ensure that the transition in our state goes smoothly and well and without interruption.
