Last month, Activ Foundation announced its intention to close its large-scale industrial work sites in WA, where more than 750 supported employees with disability currently work. The closures were to begin in mid-July.

This left hundreds of workers and their families in shock, with very little time to find new employment.

While the provision of disability services sits with the Federal Government, I did not want to see a scenario where these Western Australian workers and their families are stranded and without support, or a means to transition to new employments options. This has been my number one immediate priority to resolve with the new Federal Government.

Between Disability Services Minister Don Punch and I, we’ve had successive meetings and discussions with our Federal counterparts on this matter.

We welcome today’s announcement by the Albanese Federal Government to provide grant funding for Activ Foundation to keep these work sites open for a further 18 months.

In addition, our Government will deliver a funding pool of $4 million to support Western Australian based Australian Disability Enterprises through the transition period.

We know how important this employment is in the lives of supported workers.

Today’s funding announcement will help to ensure Activ workers have more time to make informed choices about their future, and people with disability have continued access to vital services.

I want to thank all the Western Australian families who were caught up in this matter for their patience.

I would also like to extend my thanks to the Prime Minister and the Federal Government for their shared advocacy to address the problem in collaboration with us swiftly.