Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Chandler for this really important question. Clearly the coronavirus is going to impact disproportionately on certain groups in our community. These groups are more likely to be at risk of contracting the virus and more likely to have poorer health outcomes—none more so than many of our people who live with disability. So making sure that people with disability, their families and their carers can access information about such issues as preventive measures, good hygiene and where to get the appropriate supports that they might need to get them through the pandemic has never been more important.

That's why the government has provided additional funding for a disability information hotline, specifically directed to providing advice around the COVID-19 pandemic. This free 1800 number is available from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday. It provides information, referrals, support, and emotional support and counselling to people who are impacted by either living with disability or supporting somebody who does live with disability. We've made sure that our staff are highly trained so that they can understand what the person needs and provide them with the information and support that they may need. We are making sure that our staff are directing people to information about where to get PPE and where to get food relief, if they need it. And we're just making sure that there's a friendly voice on the end of the phone if these people want someone to talk to. We're delighted to say that, since April, a number of people living with disability, their carers and supporters have used the services of the hotline. Over 2,700 calls have been received—many telephone based but also online. More than 1,700 of these calls have been able to be referred to appropriate services to support people in their particular areas of need. We want to make sure that, through this process, people who live with disability are able to get flexibility and choice around the services they need.