MEDIA RELEASE

Jihad Dib MP
Shadow Minister for Education

Sophie Cotsis MLC

Shadow Minister for Disability Services

Wednesday 17 August, 2016

MISTREATMENT OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY - 7:30 REPORT

Last night's ABCs 7:30 Report put the spotlight on some of the more disturbing cases of students with
disabilities in NSW being allegedly subjected to physical assault at school.
Information about these cases was obtained by a peak advocacy body Children and Young People with
Disability Australia (CYDA) under freedom of information. The program examined a couple of serious cases
but noted there were many others known to the Department of Education.
NSW Labor has again called on the Baird Government to adopt all of the recommendations in the Auditor
General's report, Supporting Students with Disability in NSW Public Schools, released in May of this year.
Given the gravity of the cases revealed on the 7:30 Report Labor is calling on the Government to:

1. Conduct an immediate, thorough investigation of any cases it is aware of with full public disclosure
of the findings
2. Provide an immediate update on progress it has actually made in implementing the
recommendations of the NSW Auditor Generals report.
3. Support Labor's call for a parliamentary inquiry to be established.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Education Jihad Dib
All kids have the right to a quality education including the thousands of children with a disability.
"It's clear that serious and disturbing cases of mistreatment and abuse must be investigated and responded
to as a matter of high urgency rather than be put in the too hard basket"
The Baird Government must ensure teachers are properly trained and assisted to support to students with a
disability.
The 730 Report segment exposed every parent's worst nightmare. Parents of children with a disability need
to be listened to their concerns are valid.
The Baird Government needs to get serious and quickly implement the recommendations of the AuditorGeneral made in May of this year.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Disability Services Sophie Cotsis

Media Contact: Jihad Dib 0428 802 570

"The Baird Government has a responsibility under the Disability Inclusion Act to provide support for those in
our community with a disability"
"By adopting the Auditor General's recommendations in full and adhering to the timelines, the Government
will begin to help people with disabilities"

Media Contact: Jihad Dib 0428 802 570