As the Minister for a range of portfolios that fundamentally covers “People” 2022 has been a very busy year. Here are a few of the highlights:

- We’ve made real progress towards the ACT’s first residential eating disorders clinic in Coombs. It’s going to be a beautiful place for people to get the help they need.

- We made amendments to the Senior Practitioners Act to increase the safety of people in care, at risk of restrictive practices, to manage behaviour and keep everyone safe.

- The Safe Haven in Belconnen has been in operation this year for people experiencing needing help with their mental health. The data is in, showing this facility has been a real help to Canberrans in need.

- 2022 has also been a successful year for the Garran step-up/step-down service. We are expanding these services because the evidence shows they are working.

- Another highlight of the last year was successfully advancing the idea that the review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) should take note of the value of the scheme, and not just its costs. We were also able to argue that future changes need to be co-designed with people with a disability.

- 2022 also saw the ACT’s co-design process for our disability strategy. I want to thank the more than 1,000 people who were involved in the process.

In 2023 we want to roll out more of the mental health services which we have shown can really help people.

More safe havens, more step-up/step-down facilities, more services delivered in the community.

We will also see an early intervention service for eating disorders commencing in the new year.

Next year the work really starts with putting in place the supports for raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility, to help young people make better choices.

I’m also looking forward to the work we are going to do on the social recovery from COVID, talking to NGOs and the community sector about making sure this process is community led and government supported.

A big priority for next year is working on the community understanding of disability.

I want to thank the community for all the advice and feedback they have given me throughout the last year and I look forward to that continuing in 2023.

I hope you enjoy the summer period and I look forward to hearing from you next year!