Office of the Public Advocate
Message from the Public Advocate
New Deputy Public Advocate
I am delighted to welcome Daniel Leighton, who will be commencing as OPA's Deputy Public Advocate this week.
Daniel is joining us from the NDIA, where he has worked for more than 8 years, most recently as Strategic Advisor, Intellectual Disability.
Daniel has worked with people with disability in operational, policy, and research roles across both government and not-for-profit organisations. His tenure as Chief Executive Officer at Inclusion Melbourne saw him as part of the forces that campaigned for the creation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Daniel’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility has led to significant advancements in disability support, and we are fortunate to have him bring that passion to our office.
Congratulations Colin Hiscoe
I was delighted to host a celebration at OPA for self-advocate Colin Hiscoe who received an Honorary Medal of the Order of Australia for significant service to people with disability through advocacy roles.
Colin is an OPA employee and valued member of OPA’s Lived Experience Committee. He has had a long and active involvement advocating for the rights of people with intellectual disability, including founding Reinforce Self Advocacy.
Colin’s advocacy continues to influence OPA’s work, including the establishment of OPA’s Healthy Discussions Project.
Also joining us was former staff member Natalie Tomas, who nominated Colin for the honour, and fellow self-advocate Aunty Jane. Natalie told us that as well as wanting Colin recognised for his incredible work over many years, it was time Australia recognised the achievements and contributions of people with intellectual disability to the country. I heartily concur with this sentiment.
Community Visitor honoured
I am proud to report that one of OPA's Mental Health Community Visitors, Francine Dudfield, recently had the honour of tossing the coin at the MCG on ANZAC Day. Fran was also co-host with Raf Epstein on the 774 ANZAC telecast and was featured in an article in the Herald Sun.
Fran has been a Community Visitor volunteer with OPA for 5 years.
Fran served in the Australian Defence Force as a medic and spent the first decade of her adult life serving in the Middle East and South Pacific.
Last year, she won a gold medal in power lifting at the Invictus Games.
Fran is about to complete her Master of Clinical Psychology and hopes that she will fight as a clinical psychologist in the war against poor mental health.
Seeking volunteers to support people with disability in police interviews
OPA's Independent Third Persons (ITPs) are trained volunteers who attend police interviews for adults and young people with disability to ensure that they are not disadvantaged during the interview process.
Police interviews often require people to comprehend complex issues and information quickly, understand their legal rights, and be able to communicate with people in positions of authority.
ITPs receive ongoing training and support and play a crucial safeguarding role for people with disability during police interviews, whether they be an alleged offender, witness or victim.
We are now recruiting suitable people throughout Victoria to be trained as ITPs. There is a particularly critical need for additional volunteers in Horsham, Ballarat and the inner north of metropolitan Melbourne.
For more information or to apply, visit OPA Volunteers - Office of the Public Advocate or phone 1300 309 337.
Victorian Auditor General Office
Over the past 9 months, the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) has undertaken an audit of OPA's guardianship, investigations, and complaints processes.
We are now awaiting the final report to be tabled in Parliament.
The audit recognises the complexity of the multidimensional services we provide. While we anticipate positive findings, there may also be areas identified for improvement in the report.
OPA is committed to responding to these findings, to ensure we continue striving for best practice for the people we work with and for.
For those interested in more details about VAGO, its review process, and this specific audit, you can find additional information here.
Advice Friday drop-in sessions
Have a general question or query about processes and information you’ve seen on the OPA website?
Join OPA online each Friday and have a question answered on the spot! Time: 1-2pm
Please adhere to privacy and confidentiality when participating in this session.
For detailed advice on a particular matter, please call our Advice Service on 1300 309 337 for a private chat.
RSVPs are not necessary; just join on the day.
Contact [email protected] if you have any accessibility requirements.
New education curriculum for tertiary health students
OPA has partnered with the University of Melbourne's Centre for Collaborative Practice to develop a 3-module course curriculum for tertiary students studying medicine, physiotherapy, social work and other health degrees.
The modules, co-designed with OPA's Lived Experience Advisory Committee, focus on improving communication between health practitioners and people with disability.
The curriculum is currently being trialled for third year medical students in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences at Melbourne University, with the intent of being made available to tertiary institutions nationally once finalised.
This work is part of OPA's Healthy Discussions Project, aimed at improving communication between health practitioners and people with disability. It is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Presentations for Health Networks and self-advocacy organisations
The Healthy Discussions Project team is also continuing to deliver targeted presentations to Victorian Health Networks and self-advocacy organisations.
These presentations include:
- practical tips for effective communication and engagement with people with disability
- information about the practitioner's obligations under the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016
- practical tips for effective communication and engagement with people with disability
- the voices of people with lived experience of disability.
If you would like more information or to get involved, please contact the Healthy Discussions and Supported Discussions teams at [email protected]
Human rights and disability podcast
Lisa, an OPA staff member who lives with an acquired brain injury, has explored the issue of human rights and disability in a series of interviews over the past two years.
Lisa has interviewed other people with lived experience of disability, advocates and an academic to tease out the issue of what human rights are, why they are important, where they come from and why it is a whole society issue.
Quotes from these interviews have now been used as the basis for a new short 12-minute podcast, which is available on the OPA website, YouTube and below.
Cultural safety vital for Aboriginal NDIS participants
OPA's submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia focuses on the experiences of Aboriginal NDIS participants in rural and regional Victoria.
Key issues identified include plan implementation and review, and the availability, responsiveness, consistency, and effectiveness of services from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
During the 2022-23 financial year, the Public Advocate was appointed as guardian for 46 Aboriginal people.
Ensuring cultural safety and increasing access to appropriate housing on Country are vital to ensure Aboriginal peoples with disability are supported with the resources they need to thrive and lead dignified lives.
OPA recommends that the NDIA commission specialised disability accommodation in rural and regional areas and establish regionally based First Nations Engagement and Consultation teams.
Read OPA’s submission.
Villamanta receives Public Advocate's Award
Public Advocate Dr Colleen Pearce with Annie Nash, Chief Executive Officer of Villamanta, Zane McKenzie, Villamanta Committee of Management and Jessica Madden artist from Art Gusto holding the artwork that was presented.
The Public Advocate recently visited Geelong to present Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service with the 2023 Public Advocate's Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disability Rights.
This prestigious recognition is awarded annually to an organisation that demonstrates exceptional commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disability.
Since 1990, Villamanta has been promoting the rights of people with disability through both individual and systemic advocacy.
In one recent case, a person with disability was unjustly held in hospital due to a provider’s refusal to facilitate their return home. Villamanta intervened, providing essential legal support that led to the individual securing a new home and new service provider that would actively listen and engage with their evolving needs.
Beyond individual cases, Villamanta actively engages in national dialogues on disability rights, ensuring that the voices of those with disability are heard, particularly in critical areas such as the NDIS. Their systemic advocacy has also been crucial in challenging restrictive 'gag laws', empowering individuals to share their experiences and advocate for their rights.
Subscribe to OPA Updates
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, information, publications, and events from OPA.
