STATE Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin says she welcomes the Australian Government’s recent release of the Draft National Autism Strategy.
Ms Saffin says “it provides the State and Territory governments with the opportunity to engage with the Draft National Autism Strategy.
“We need a NSW Autism Strategy and I have had discussions with the relevant Minister in the Minns Labor Government, Kate Washington,” Ms Saffin says.
“I raised the importance of an autism strategy in the NSW Parliament last year. South Australia is way ahead of us. Now we have the Draft National Autism Strategy, we need to seize the momentum and get a New South Wales strategy to break down barriers for autistic children and adults and their families.”
Chair of the Northern Rivers Autism Association Micheal Lynch has teamed up with Business NSW Northern Rivers Regional Director Jane Laverty to co-host an Autism@Work business luncheon at the Ballina RSL Auditorium from noon today (Tuesday, 9 April).
The event, titled Embracing a Neurodiverse Workforce, celebrates Autism Awareness Month and guest speaker will be former dual-code international for rugby league and rugby union Mat Rogers.
Ms Saffin says she will be an apology as she is recovering from Covid.
“A panel of speakers for today’s event is sure to discuss the Draft National Autism Strategy,” Ms Saffin says.
“It is clear from the draft that the states and territories and Federal Government need to work together because the strategy covers polices across both levels of government.
“The states have primary responsibility for the key areas of education, health, justice and housing.
“It is the states that have responsibility for pre-schools for example, where children are at critical age for early intervention which can make a huge difference.
“This is an opportunity for National Cabinet to tackle the crossover of responsibilities and ensure that this is an effective, properly funded strategy without gaps for people to slip through.
“Being in a rural or regional area can add another layer of disadvantage, so it is important that people from this region give their feedback to the national strategy.”
For more information on the Draft National Autism Strategy and to give feedback go to: https://engage.dss.gov.au/developing-the-national-autism-strategy/
AUTISM@WORK: Northern Rivers Regional Director Business NSW Jane Laverty, guest speaker Mat Rogers, and Northern Rivers Autism Association Chair Micheal Lynch.
