NEDA News April 2008


Welcome to the first update from NEDA for 2008.


It’s been a busy start of the year for the National Ethnic Disability Alliance with a new government generating some timely reviews of government policy and potentially opening the doors of change for people from a non English Speaking Background (NESB) with disability.


News in brief:


Mr Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Comes to NEDA


NEDA was very pleased to host a visit by Mr Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability, in February 2008. NEDA raised with Mr Shorten the need to improve utilisation of government services by people from NESB with disability. NEDA has strongly argued that the Australian Government should use the Commonwealth, State and Territory Disability Agreement as a mechanism to prioritise services for people from NESB. NEDA also used the meeting to emphasise the need for a continuing role for specialist advocacy within the National Disability Advocacy Program.


NEDA Council Meets in Alice Springs


The governing board of NEDA – the NEDA Council – held a face to face meeting in Alice Springs in February 2008. This was a great opportunity for everybody to not only meet each other, but also see advocacy and service provision in a very different setting. The two day meeting allowed Councillors to not only focus in depth on the many issues that NEDA is currently engaged with, but also work intensively on a strategic plan for 2009-2012. NEDA Council usually meets face to face once per year.


NEDA Supports UN Convention Ratification, but Migration Act 1958 a Concern


NEDA has responded to the Australian Government National Interest Analysis for Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The NEDA submission supported ratification of the UN Convention, but has raised concerns about the urgent need to use the convention to address the exemption of the Migration Act 1958 from the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. NEDA has written to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, to highlight these concerns.  


NEDA at the ACOSS Social Inclusion Conference


The Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) held its national conference in Melbourne in April 2008 with a focus on “social inclusion.” NEDA worked with ACOSS to put together an “Inclusive and Diverse Communities” workshop, which was able to help highlight some of the issues for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in relation to the social inclusion agenda. NEDA and member organisations (including the Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre, Diversity and Disability, Amparo Advocacy and Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association) attended this important event, assisting to highlight the concerns for people from NESB with disability. 


National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy


The Australian Government has begun consultations for the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy, with workshops being held around Australia. This is an important opportunity to highlight the employment barriers faced by people from NESB with disability. The workshop dates are:


28 April 9.30-1.00 Adelaide Convention Centre North Terrace Adelaide SA 5000
28 April 1.00-4.30 Darwin Holiday Inn Esplanade The Esplanade Darwin NT 0800
29 April 9.30-1.00 Perth Technology Park 2 Brodie Hall Drive Bentley WA 6102
30 April 9.00-12.00 Mackay Grand Mercure Mackay 9 Gregory Street Mackay City Centre QLD 4740
1 May 1.00-4.30 Cairns Rydges Esplanade Resort Cnr The Esplanade & Kerwin Street Cairns QLD 4870
2 May 10.30-2.00 Brisbane Holiday Inn Brisbane 159 Roma Street Brisbane QLD 4000
5 May 9.30-1.00 Sydney TBA
5 May 10.00-1.30 Newcastle Travelodge Crn King & Steel Streets Newcastle NSW 2302
6 May 10.30-2.00 Canberra Old Parliament House King George Terrace Parkes Canberra ACT 2600
8 May 10.00-1.30 Launceston The Hotel Grand Chancellor 29 Cameron Street Launceston TAS 7250
RSVP to Ms Lori Catelli. Phone: (02) 6121 552. Email: employmentstrategy@deewr.gov.au
  NEDA Submissions
 

The following NEDA submissions have been placed on the NEDA website www.neda.org.au :

  • NEDA Submission to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2009 Review of the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, March 2008
  • NEDA submission on Possible Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – National Interest Analysis
  • NEDA Comments on Regional Telecommunications Review November 2007
  • NEDA Comments on Productivity Commission Draft Report Review of Australia’s Consumer Policy Framework
Contact
National Ethnic Disability Alliance
Ph:  (02) 9687 8933  Fax:  (02) 9635 5355
PO Box 9381
Harris Park  NSW  2150
www.neda.org.au