Parliamentary Breakfast in honour of Professor Ron McCallum

My ministerial colleagues, Commissioners, Ombudsmen, Chief Executives, senior managers; ministerial staff and of course our distinguished international guests, Professor Ron McCallum and Belinda Reeve.

It seems to me absolutely appropriate that at the very dawning of Budget Day we have such a prestigious group of people gathered to account for the progress we have made as a nation, in progressing the full participation of disabled persons in our society.

It is a great tohu - a sign of things to come - to see such top level commitment to ensuring we work together to confront the challenge of a disabling society.

And it is in that spirit that I am delighted to welcome Ron to our shores.

Professor McCallum is in Aotearoa in his capacity as the Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

This committee is a very significant forum in that it overseas the reporting by countries, on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities.

It is timely for us to benefit from the expertise and experience that I know Ron will bring to this gathering, as we make our own commitment towards improving the life outcomes of disabled persons and their families.

Our first report on the implementation of the Convention is due to the United Nations in October 2010, so it is a privilege for us to have Ron with us at this time in the lead up to our report.

Ron has earnt significant respect at both national and international levels, for the difference he has made to the treaty writing process at the United Nations.

Ron is the first blind person to be appointed to a full professorship in Australia as well as the first to become a Dean of Law.

He is deputy chair of the Board of Vision Australia, Chair of Radio for the Print Handicapped in New South Wales and in 2006 received the Order of Australia for his services to tertiary education, social justice and for his assistance to visually impaired persons.

Later today, I am greatly looking forward to announcing a suite of initiatives within the context of Budget 2010 that will ensure the voice of disabled persons is heard, loud and proud.   I've been reminded that I mustn't get too excited and share all the detail!

I am really pleased that the voice of disabled persons is having influence at the table of the Chief Executives group on Disability Issues; at the Ministerial Committee on Disability issues, and right across all government agencies and our community.

And that is exactly how it should be.  Nothing about you, without you.

Involving disabled people in decision-making and discussions about the Convention is vital to the process.

Finally, I want to thank the Human Rights Commission for your initiative in hosting Professor McCallum's visit, and in the leadership you demonstrate in ensuring we honour the rights and responsibilities formalised in international conventions.

Together, all of us play a vital role in ensuring that people with disabilities have both the right and the opportunity to live as they choose, to have influence, and to enjoy full participation in a society which values all people.

I have the greatest pleasure, now, in inviting Ron to talk to us.