Heres a copy of my speech to Parliament last night.... Mr COSTIGAN (Whitsunday—LNP) (8.23 pm): I rise tonight to make a rather brief contribution, but nevertheless one that I am looking forward to, in support of the Disability Services (Restrictive Practices) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. In doing so, I acknowledge the frustrations of those terrific people, those beautifully dedicated people, who work in the disability sector; specifically their frustration with government rules and regulations that have built up over quite some years. To them I say, Welcome to a new era in disability care in Queensland under an LNP government that is delivering sensible reform without compromising the quality of service. We have heard tonight from many of my colleagues of children with disabilities being in excellent care. I have to say that in Whitsunday we are no different. Madec provides a wonderful service in my electorate. I have had the privilege of seeing this firsthand at the John E Smith Respite Centre at Rural View in Mackays northern beaches. To say that it is a professional and dedicated service is an understatement. I can assure the minister and other honourable members in the House here tonight that it was a very humbling experience going there that day with Thomas Block and seeing things firsthand myself. The John E Smith Respite Centre is a home for people under the age of 25 with a disability. Madec has certainly come a long way over the past four decades. It was established in 1973 and it was during the 1990s that it moved into the area of disability support provider. It is a successful business that I am sure the minister will be pleased to hear is no longer reliant on government handouts. Madec and its disability services include a post schools program, a family support program, night-time attendant care which targets people with a disability under the age of 35—the service runs from 8 oclock in the evening to late at night—accommodation support and, of course, a new and exciting program called Baby Bridges which is an early intervention program for children aged from birth up to the age of five with a disability. I understand that it is quite significant for regional Queensland because outside Brisbane I believe that Mackay is the first place to have such a service. The John E Smith Respite Centre is named after a legendary figure. John E Smith was a horseman, rodeo rider and a stockman. He loved the bush. On his 25th birthday he suffered a broken neck. He went on to become one of Australias leading mouth and foot artists. His artworks are revered not only around Mackay and the Whitsundays but also right around Queensland and, I dare say, right around the nation. Sadly, Mr Smith passed away in 2007 but I can assure members that his legacy lives on. I thank all the carers who work at this centre, some of whom come from varying backgrounds, including a certain coalminer whom I caught up with some time ago. He is one of those people who are caring for some very special people. I know that their parents are most grateful for that. I will conclude by acknowledging the excellent work of the minister, focusing on capacity building, the best possible care for clients and cutting red tape. That is something we are committed to and I am delighted to see the minister delivering in her portfolio. I support the bill.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 10:51:30 +0000