Thank you to everyone who has signed, commented, shared or supported the petition in other ways.  Your input has been excellent!

A letter has been sent to the SA Premier Hon. Peter Malinauskas and to the Minister of Human Services Hon. Nat Cook along with 5 attachments of (supporting evidence).  A copy of the letter is below.

I have confidence in our current State Parliamentarians and am hopeful of a positive resolution.  In the interim, a decision has been made to keep the petition open.

Hon. Peter Malinauskas

Premier of South Australia

GPO Box 2343, Adelaide SA 5001

11th of May 2022

Dear Premier Malinauskas,

My name is Betty-Jean Dee-Price and I am a disability researcher at Flinders University, a disability advocate and a parent of a young man with a severe disability who attends Adelaide Botanic High School.  My letter to you is informed by a background in social services leadership in community health services, OARS SA, and State committee involvement including the Diversionary Courts, SACOSS committees, Health Performance Council (disability project) and currently with CEIH.  I was also the Adelaide candidate for the (then) Dignity Party at the 2018 State election and last month, the recipient of a Women’s Achievement Award from Zonta (Adelaide) for disability activism in research.

I present to you a list of names (Attachment 1) and comments (Attachment 2) of a petition (conducted via FaceBook over 17 days) that was initiated to coincide with the Review of the SA Disability Inclusion Act 2018.  (Attachment 3 - is a copy of the questions and my responses).

There are ongoing, serious breaches of disability law in South Australia which are inundating Federal systems of complaint such as the Australian Human Rights Commission.  For example, at present time, there is little power within South Australia to compel private schools to make the legal adaptations required to include students with disabilities.  Please see (Attachment 4. Letter from Minister Gardiner).

There are multiple areas of fallibility within the current legislation.  It does not adequately acknowledge discrimination nor does it translate actions to outcomes.  The language and statements within the legislation appear positive but in reality, lead nowhere.  For example, "Full and effective participation and inclusion in society" sounds great but what does that mean or look like on SA streets?

The current SA Disability Inclusion Act is helpless against many breaches of discrimination such as drivers of transport companies who repeatedly refuse to carry assistance dogs (guide dogs).  It’s helpless against the erection of major public buildings without prior consultation with the disability community. It is helpless against school Principals (public and private)who suggest disabled children might be better off if they “attend schools of their own kind”.  It’s helpless against hate speech.  It’s helpless in building a positive community that values the lives and all its citizens.   There is extensive evidence of the shortfalls in the legislation.  Attachment 5 provides a list of current evidence,

South Australia needs legislation that is

o    Developed by people with disability and/or lived experience of disability. 

o    Enforced, ensuring the civil rights of the community.

o    Hits safeguarding and discrimination prevention targets.

o    Reduces the backlog of complaints to the AHRC & EOC.

o    Builds community.

There are several important comments shared by signatories and supporters of the petition (some of which are included below).   The petition has also received bi-partisan support (non-signatory) from State leaders including current Labor (and Liberal) and past political leaders.

                        "Must be a massive improvement on the current one...and...TIME TO BRING  BACK A DISABILITY ADVISORY BOARD AND A COMMISSIONER FOR DISABILITY. Why don't we have a dedicated Minister for Disability in South Australia. We are the ONLY State which does not."

                        "I am a support worker that has worked with many disabled clients with complaints about how their needs are being neglected by the system. They deserve to have their needs and rights met and I feel that the state is obliged to ameliorate this and empower disabled people to live with dignity, inclusion and freedom."

                        “agree with what you're trying to do. Basically, what's the point of having policies and legislation if they're not enforced? It's going to take a strong confident Government to make the changes you're suggesting. No such beast.”
 
On behalf of the people listed in the petition (and others who have supported the petition in other ways) I request that the new Labor Government moves forward to make urgent, and long overdue inroads to disability civil rights (and therein – inclusion).

On behalf of the talented and insightful disability community of South Australia, I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Dr Betty-Jean Dee-Price