Amaze and the Australian Autism Alliance appear before Senate Select Committee on Autism

From left: Chloe Hayden, Janet Bailie and Fiona Sharkie

In February, Amaze and the Australian Autism Alliance appeared before Melbourne hearings of the Senate Select Committee on Autism. 

Amaze CEO Fiona Sharkie, Autism Connect advisor Janet Bailie and autistic advocate Chloe Hayden spoke before the Inquiry on behalf of Amaze. 

Major topics covered included:  

• The importance of community attitudes to autistic people  

• The national rollout of Autism Connect as an information and advice hub to strengthen the capabilities of autistic people, their families/carers, professionals and the broader community  

• Lessons from the Victorian Autism Plan and how this could inform a future National Autism Strategy  

On day two of the hearings, Fiona presented as co-chair of the Australian Autism Alliance with fellow co-chair Paul Micallef and policy advisor Ben Biro who is also a father of an autistic boy.  

The Alliance delegation focussed on the need for a National Autism Strategy to drive better outcomes for autistic people.  

Topics covered included the stark gap in life outcomes for autistic people, the growing proportion of people with an autism diagnosis and opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of autistic people and their families.  

In his powerful evidence to the inquiry, Ben explained that the stark and harrowing data reflected the need for the Government to establish a National Autism Strategy as the status quo has not worked.  

The inquiry is a first national inquiry of its kind and was set up to look into services, support and life outcomes for autistic people.  

Pictured seated on the left: (from left) Fiona Sharkie, Paul Micallef and Ben Biro