Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

Melton City Council launched the Melton City Council Disability Action Plan at WestWaters hotel last Thursday. The Melton City Council Disability Action Plan 2013-17 strengthens the voice of people with a disability and acknowledges and supports the vital role that families and carers play in the municipality. This plan recognises all people with a disability, including children, young people and adults with a sensory, physical or neurological impairment, acquired brain injury or mental illness.

My electorate staff managed to get along to that event on my behalf, including Paya Sumuni, an intern currently undertaking a placement at my office. Paya reported that it was an inspiring and enriching event and, therefore, it was very important that I be represented. The council also expressed its gratitude for the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, initiated by the Gillard government.

In particular, I would like to acknowledge the Mayor of the City of Melton, Councillor Bob Turner; former mayor Kathy Majdlik; and the Melton City Council CEO, Kel Tori. They really helped put this together with the community groups and I congratulate everyone who had a hand in developing the City of Melton Disability Action Plan, a very important initiative in my electorate.

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