The WWDACT E-Bulletin, Issue 06/19 is out now. View this e-Bulletin in your browser here. Fill out the form here to subscribe.
Message from the Chair
Dear Members and Colleagues,
WWDACT is searching for a part time short term Community Engagement Officer to work with us over May and June. We look forward to expanding our staff team. Details of how to apply are below and on the ‘Work with Us’ tab of our website.
I am writing this message on the eve of the Budget, so there are items on a wish list that we will be waiting to hear about. Firstly, we need to hear that the Royal Commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disabilities is fully funded over at least the next elections cycle. WWDACT has also added a dedicated Royal Commission Page to its website (thank you Clare) and will post information about the Royal Commission there as well as in our regular e-bulletins.
I will be working with the National Foundation of Australian Women’s Social Policy Committee in their analysis of the Budget. My job is to look at gender and disability issues. NFAW will publish a Gender Lens on the Budget by the end of this week. NFAW have already put up its Election Policies showing a range of women’s issues that must be addressed in May. WWDACT has contributed the wish list for women with disabilities.
WWDACT will also be hoping the Budget includes funding to support consultations for both the development and implementation of the next National Disability Strategy (NDS). The NDS is the blueprint for implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The current NDS expires in 2020, and the Department of Social Services will be conducting a series of preliminary consultations in capital cities and regional centres between April and June. You can register for updates online. The Canberra consultation will be held on May 10 from 1000 to 1330. The location is not yet available, but you can register to attend at Eventbrite.
Sue Salthouse
Chair, WWDACT