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

I thank Senator Small for his question and acknowledge his commitment, along with the commitment of this government, to breaking down barriers for Australians with disability who find themselves unemployed.

As we emerge from the impacts of the COVID pandemic, it is really important that we focus on jobs for everybody, but particularly to make sure that people with disability get the same opportunities as everybody else to make sure that they can make their contribution to the economic security and wellbeing of our country. We know that a job is a real game changer for anybody, and that shouldn't be any different for somebody who lives with disability. That's why we are in the process of developing the National Disability Employment Strategy. I'm really delighted to say—and it's probably very topical this week—that I have appointed the 2016 Australian Paralympian of the Year, Dylan Alcott, in conjunction with the Monash University Chancellor, Simon McKeon, as joint chairs of the new Disability Employment Advisory Committee. I say 'timely' because, last week, a very inspirational Australian, in Dylan Alcott, won his seventh consecutive Australian Open wheelchair title, which is just fantastic and a great inspiration for young Australians who live with disability to show them the amazing things that you can do. I congratulate Dylan on his amazing achievement.

Together, with Professor McKeon, they are providing absolutely essential advice about ways to positively drive change to assist Australians to gain and maintain employment to the level of their ability. These two gentlemen are supported by a number of other people who live with disability to make sure that our Disability Employment Strategy is informed by people with disability. We want to invest heavily in breaking down the barriers, because we know that people with disability can make some of the most outstanding employees, and that's the message we want to get out to employers so that they employ them.