Howard's Government also closed the CES and contracted out employment services opening the door to for-profit companies. We know Howard is ideologically opposed to a collective approach - but we expect more from a Labor Government. This will have major industrial and financial ramifications for organisations. ASU members have previously experienced massive upheaval in Federal Government decisions to tender human services. ADD's recent decision is the first example of full competitive tendering for existing State-funded services in our sector.
Independent advocacy is a key part of the work of the non-government community services sector.
In addition it advocates for changes to the legal system so that people with an intellectual disability can have an equal chance of keeping out of trouble with the law. IDRS does research, makes representations to government and provides rights based training to the DPP, the police, disability services and people with intellectual disability and their families. They recently advocated for statewide changes to educational administrative arrangements that acted as a barrier to students entering regular classes. This resulted in funding being allocated more equitably, changes to policies and procedures and Curriculum material being developed to support all children learning together.