Policies & partnerships

Highlighting the economic, social and cultural rights of people with decision-making disabilities forms a crucial part of the Public Advocate’s role. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Public Advocate works at both individual and community levels.

The Public Advocate informs and advises government and community groups on the best interests of adults with decision-making disabilities and contributes to the development of government legislation, policies and services that affect adults with decision-making disabilities.

Policy development

Government policy affecting people with decision-making disabilities is of particular interest to the Public Advocate. The office regularly reviews legislative changes and developments and advocates for the inclusion of economic, social and cultural rights to safeguard the best interests of vulnerable adults with decision-making disabilities.

The Public Advocate contributes to Government policy papers, as well as prepares submissions to other Government departments.

Recent submissions made by the Public Advocate include:

National Consultation Disability Supported Accommodation Program
Submission to the Federal Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in October 2007
Consultation on the Possible Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Submission to Federal Attorney-General's Department's Human Rights branch in February 2008
Inquiry into Collaborative Approaches in Government
Submission to the State Parliament Community Development and Justice Standing Committee in March 2008. Appearance before the committee on 11 June 2008.
Consultation on the Draft Public Health Bill
Submission to Department of Health in April 2008
Statutory Review of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002
Submission to Statutory Review Reference Group in June 2008.

The Public Advocate also contributed to Department of the Attorney General or State Government submissions to:

Consultation on the UN Convention on the Rights of Indigenous People in April 2008
Which Way Home: A New Approach to Homelessness Green Paper in June 2008.

Creating partnerships

Developing partnerships with Government and community organisations to enable inter-agency responses to legal and social issues is a key function of the Office of the Public Advocate.

As a member of the WA Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (APEA), the Office of the Public Advocate works with Advocare, the Department for Communities (Office for Seniors Interests and Carers), Department of Health, Disability Services Commission, WA Police, the Public Trustee, Legal Aid and other organisations to address the issue of elder abuse.

The Office also has a number of key partnerships and memoranda of understanding with government agencies including WA Police, the Department for Child Protection and the State Administrative Tribunal.

The Public Advocate is building relationships with Aboriginal community groups and service providers to improve understanding of guardianship issues within these communities and to enhance cultural awareness within the office.

These actions are based on goals set out in the Public Advocate's Reconciliation Action Plan. The plan is part of a program initiated by Reconciliation Australia as a step towards closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Last Updated: 11-Mar-2009

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