Joint Media Release – Disability Sector Welcomes Rachel Stephen-Smith As New Disability Minister
On 11/12/2023 it was announced Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith will become the Minister for Disability in the ACT, replacing Minister Emma Davidson. We welcome Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith as the new Minister for Disability and look forward to a vibrant and robust working relationship with her and her team. We are eager to assist Minister Stephen-Smith to continue the vital work of delivering better conditions for all people with disabilities in the ACT Minister Stephen-Smith has been a trusted pair of hands in the disability sector in the past and has made a significant impact delivering the ACT Disability Health Strategy in 2023.
We thank Minister Emma Davidson for her leadership and support in her time as Disability Minister. Through current immense reforms in both the local and national disability sectors, Minister Davidson has shown dedication and compassion for the disability community and we know she will bring this level of enthusiasm and care to her new portfolio.
We call for continued momentum in the delivery of the ACT Disability Strategy as well as the ACT Government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review. We look forward to collaborating with Minister Stephen-Smith and her team to ensure strong disability sector and equal human rights for people with disability in the ACT.
‘AFI welcomes Rachel Stephen-Smith back into the disability portfolio. Minister Stephen-Smith knows the portfolio and has remained connected to it delivering progress towards a health strategy. There will be important tasks ahead delivering the promised new foundational supports and we need the Barr government to deliver its promised funded and robust ACT Disability Strategy. We thank Emma Davidson for her contribution to disability rights work especially her collaborative approach to work with disability organisations and commitment to consultation’, said AFI Head of Policy Craig Wallace.
Kat Reed, CEO of Women with Disabilities ACT (WWDACT) said, ‘WWDACT looks forward to working closely with Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith to continue to improve the wellbeing and health outcomes of women with disabilities* in the ACT. Minister Stephen-Smith’s experience with the portfolio and her commitment to addressing the intersectional lived experience of women with disabilities will be an asset to the ACT government’s upcoming response to the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review.’
ACT Down Syndrome Association CEO Shannon Kolak said, ‘We have enjoyed working alongside Minister Emma Davidson and her team. She has been a fierce advocate for the disability community and we wish her every success with her new Portfolios. We have worked with Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith in her previous role as Minister for Disability and as the current ACT Minister for Health and know our community is in very capable and experienced hands. We look forward to continuing to build a strong working relationship with Minister Stephen-Smith as we embark on a time of reform and change for the disability sector.’
Media Contacts
Craig Wallace, Head of Policy, Advocacy for Inclusion – 0477 200 755
Shannon Kolack, Chief Executive Officer, ACT Down Syndrome Association – 0408 646 857
Kat Reed, Chief Executive Officer, Women with Disabilities ACT – 0412 094 757
ACT Council of Social Services
6 Gritten Street, Weston ACT 2611
ACT Down Syndrome Association
Building 1, Pearce Community Centre, Pearce ACT, 2607
Advocacy for Inclusion
2.02 Griffin Centre, 20 Genge St. Canberra City, 2601
Women with Disabilities ACT
Building 1, Pearce Community Centre, Pearce ACT, 2607