23-November-2011

Media Release - National Disability Awards - 23 November 2011

NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARDS 2011

Senator Mitch Fifield has today congratulated the nine individuals and organisations whose commitment to helping people with disability was honoured at the National Disability Awards, held at Parliament House last night.

“The National Disability Awards highlight the contributions being made to our community that improve the lives of people with disability,” Senator Fifield said.

“Each winner and finalist’s dedication to people with disability, whether it be through providing employment opportunities for people with disability, being a staunch advocate for disability rights or by working to make communities more accessible for people with disability, is worthy of this recognition.”

“I congratulate all the National Disability Award winners and commend the work of people across the country to make Australia a more inclusive place for people with disabilities,” Senator Fifield said.

Frank Hall-Bentick won the Minister’s Lifelong Achievement Award, and the Young Disability Challenge Award was won by Katrina Lancaster. Alcoa Aluminium Smelter was the winner of the Business Award, while the City of Mandurah in WA won the Local Government Award. The Social Inclusion Award was won by Technical Aid to the Disabled and Housing Choices Australia was successful in the Inclusive and Accessible Communities Award Category. Parks Victoria won the Health and Wellbeing Award, and the ABC’s Nance Haxton was the recipient of the Yooralla Media Award for Excellence.

Senator Fifield also paid special tribute to the Prime Minister’s Outstanding Achievement Award-winner Mr John Walsh AM, whose work over many years and more recently as an Associate Commissioner at the Productivity Commission was crucial to the landmark Report released by the Commission earlier this year into Disability Care and Support.

“The Productivity Commission’s work has produced a road map to reform the inadequate disability service system in this country through a National Disability Insurance Scheme, providing a ray of hope for people with disability and an important call to action for policy makers,” Senator Fifield said.