Media Release by Senator the Hon Jan McLucas

Ipswich opens its own Australian Disability Enterprise

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Shayne Neumann MP, Member for Blair

A new commercial business that will offer supported employment for up to 27 people with a disability was officially opened in Ipswich today by Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Jan McLucas.

The opening of Mach 1’s Ipswich facility coincides with International Day of People with Disability, a United Nations sanctioned event that celebrates the contributions and achievements of people with disability.

Mach 1 is an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE). ADEs are competitive businesses which are funded by the Australian Government to provide supported employment to people with significant disability who need substantial and ongoing on-the-job assistance.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas said “Having a job builds self esteem, provides financial independence and broadens social networks.”

“Mach 1 will play an important role in providing supported employment to a vulnerable group in the community who otherwise may not have that opportunity.”

Senator McLucas congratulated Mach 1 on their new business which is an expansion to their existing Sunnybank Hills operation.

ADEs give people with disability the opportunity to have jobs in a range of areas including catering, gardening, building furniture and printing and packaging. These Enterprises operate over 600 commercial businesses across Australia and employ around 19,000 people with disability.

Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, said “Mach 1 has a proven track record and I am thrilled to have them expand into Ipswich and provide local people with disability with job opportunities.”

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring people with disability have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The Gillard Government increased funding for Australian Disability Enterprises by $4.5 million in the 2010/11 financial year, bringing total funding to $204 million.

We are developing a long term vision for Australian Disability Enterprises and workers who need supported employment through to 2020. This is a commitment under the Government’s National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy.

The Government has appointed an Advisory Committee to guide development of the long term vision.