Media Release – 20 March 2015
Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield to speak at Disability Forum
Disability Employment Australia (DEA) is pleased to announce that Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield,
Assistant Minister for Social Services, will be the key-note presenter at our National Leaders’ Forum
on 16 April in Melbourne.
The DEA National Leaders’ Forum is a biannual event in which DES leaders from our member
organisations come together to hear from some of Australia’s best minds on the most up-to-date
issues related to disability employment. They also network with the best in the sector debating
current issues and emerging trends.
The Minister’s inclusion in the event is especially timely given changes announced this week to
reduce red tape and administrative burden in the DES programme.
Disability Employment Australia CEO Rick Kane believes that a good working relationship between
the Minister, the Department and the sector is vital to achieving the goal of sustainable employment
for people with disability.
“The Minister has been a strong supporter of the DES program and the sector’s contribution to the
lives of people with disability. I look forward to hearing his views about how the current program is
going and what he’s looking for to improve workforce participation rates for people with disability,”
Rick Kane said.
The National Leaders’ Forum is an event for members of Disability Employment Australia, and will be
held on the 16th April 2015 at the Parkroyal Hotel.
Interviews available via Disability Employment Australia CEO, Rick Kane on 03 9012 6000 or 0425
752 321.
Media queries contact Sharlie Wise on 03 9012 6000 or 0418 285 192,
[email protected]
About Disability Employment Australia: Disability Employment Australia is the ‘go to’ peak body for disability
employment in Australia. One in five Australians of working age have disability, but only 53% participate in the
workforce compared with 81% for people without disability.
Disability Employment Australia represents Australia’s Disability Employment Services (DES) to government and
the broader community – nationally and internationally. Australia’s DES assists over 160,000 people with
disability and 40,000 employers.
There are more than 140 DES organisations with nearly 2,500 sites across Australia. DES providers are both
private and not-for-profit organisations focused on meaningful employment in the open labour market.
www.disabilityemployment.org.au
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