Released 02/08/2018
Today the Legislative Assembly passed legislation to strengthen Canberra’s efforts to be an inclusive community where everyone’s rights are respected and upheld.
The Senior Practitioner Bill 2018 establishes a framework for the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices in the ACT.
A restrictive practice is any practice or intervention that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of a person for the primary purpose of protecting the person or others from harm.
Vulnerable Canberrans such as those with disability, older people, people living with a psychosocial disability and children and young people are most at risk of being subject to restrictive practices.
The Bill also formally establishes the role of Senior Practitioner to monitor the use of restrictive practices and to work with the community to increase awareness about them.
I was pleased to welcome Ms Mandy Donley as the ACT’s first Senior Practitioner in July.
A forensic mental health nurse by profession, from 2007 Ms Donley worked for Victoria’s Senior Practitioner Office on issues facing the disability community. Since 2015 Ms Donley has provided independent oversight of restraint and seclusion in Victorian government schools.
The Senior Practitioner will work closely with organisations across Canberra and the ACT community to provide education and to raise awareness about how to reduce and eliminate restrictive practices.
I look forward to this important piece of work getting underway in partnership with the Canberra community as we move towards the elimination of restrictive practices in the ACT.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases