Good morning. It's so great to be with you all today.
I begin this morning by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we meet, the Wadawurrung peoples, and pay my respects to elders past and present.
I extend this acknowledgement to all First Nations people joining us here today.
It is great to be here at this Having a Say Conference so that we can launch the updated Australia's Disability Strategy.
The Strategy is Australia's plan to make life better for people with disability.
It talks about what we can do together to make Australia inclusive - so everyone can live good lives, take part in the community as equals, and be treated with respect.
I am so happy to be here with Victoria's Minister for Disability, Minister Lizzie Blandthorn, along with Jane Spring, the Chair of the Strategy's Advisory Council.
We are here together to show our shared commitment to improve outcomes for people with disability.
I would like to thank VALiD's Chair, Arthur Rogers, and the CEO, Fionn Skiotis, for inviting us to be here this morning.
In fact, I would like to thank the whole VALiD team for the fantastic work they do every day, and have been doing since 1989.
Having a say, learning from each other, and supporting each other is really important, and I want you to know that your voices are being heard and are feeding into the decisions that governments make.
The message of 'nothing about us without us' has been heard loud and clear.
It is your voices, your thoughts, feelings and experiences, that guide our policies and the changes we want to make with you.
Because we all know that you are only able to participate fully in your communities when you get to have a say about what you need, what you want, and are treated with respect.
And what an amazing group of leaders, thinkers and communicators we have here with us today.
