Senate Inquiry into ADHD Services

We need the voice of the WA ADHD Community loud and clear!

The Federal Government has announced a Senate Inquiry into: “Barriers to consistent, timely and best practice assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and support services for people with ADHD” at a national level.
ADHD WA has been advocating for change for the last 30 years and welcomes this as an important opportunity to influence change and hold government accountable for the lack of services and recognition of the challenges faced by individuals, families, parents, carers and children.

This is a pivotal moment for the ADHD community and we are excited to have YOU part of it!

3 ways you can get involved in this inquiry:

1: COMPLETE OUR ADHD WA SURVEY 
ADHD WA as an organisation will be completing a submission to the Inquiry.
To help us present a collective and cohesive voice, we kindly ask that if you’re over the age of 16, to please complete an anonymous survey.
This survey is a combination of multiple-choice and a few optional comment sections and will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.
Click here to complete the survey now.

2: WRITE A SUBMISSION
Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds. We are here to help.
ADHD WA are running eight (8) in-person and online submission writing workshops throughout the month of May.
Closing date for submissions: Let’s aim to have them lodged by the end of May before the 09 June deadline.

🔸🔸🔸 Senate Inquiry – Template and Tips – ADHD WA [PDF]🔸🔸🔸

3: SPREAD THE WORD
Invite people in your world to write a submission.
This can be your friends, family, healthcare provides. Anyone in Australia is welcome to write a submission.

ADHD WA SUBMISSION WRITING WORKSHOPS

ADHD WA are running eight (8) Submission Writing Workshops over the month of May 2023.
These Workshops will answer any questions and assist you in writing your own personal submissions.

These workshops are free and open to ADHD WA members and non-members.
Click on the links below to register to enable us to best support you.

Let’s back track for a minute…
WHAT is a Senate Inquiry? What’s happening?

We’re so glad you asked. Let’s break it down.

Firstly, why do we have inquiries? 
The results of these inquiries help Senators to shape laws and to make better-informed decisions about matters they debate in the Senate.

What’s happened:
The Australian Senate has backed a proposal to establish a Senate Inquiry into the care and support provided to those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The inquiry will focus on the effectiveness of current treatment options and the availability of support services for those with ADHD.

Where we are up to:
In this context, an Inquiry is a formal investigation that devotes time and resources to look into a specific policy or issue. The results of these inquiries help senators make better-informed decisions, like shaping legislation and laws.

Part of the ‘investigating’ stage includes inviting members of the community to write submissions that share their views and experiences. (That is the stage of the inquiry we’re currently in!)

The next steps:
Following this stage, the committee may then invite people who have made a written submission to appear at a hearing, where they can present information and answer questions.

Conclusion:
Following this, we reach the conclusion of an inquiry, in which the relevant committee (in this case, it will be the  Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs) takes into account the substance of the submissions and hearings and prepares a report. This report often includes recommendations on how to fix a specific policy of issue that was being investigated.

WHAT is a Submission?

Don’t worry, it is not as scary as it sounds!

A written submission can be broken into two parts:

1. Share any and every experience that you would like the committee* to know about in relation to your experience of ADHD.
2. Listing what you would like changed / making recommendations.

*Committee” Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs.

How should I structure my submission?
There is no prescribed format for a written submission – you can follow whatever structure feels easiest or most natural to you.

How long should my submission be?
Your submission may be as short or as long as you like. If it’s longer than a few pages, it can be helpful to include a brief summary at the beginning.

What should my submission contain?
Your submission should contain facts, opinions, experiences, arguments and/or recommendations in the context of your ADHD experience or expertise.

The most important thing is that your submission clearly tells your story and conveys the reason that you’re making a submission in the first place. It also has to be relevant to the scope of the inquiry, otherwise it could be rejected.

One way to help inform what to write in your submission is through the lens of the inquiry’s twelve (12) terms of reference points. These determine the scope/limitations of what the committee will inquire into – they’re like the guiding parameters of the investigation. You definitely don’t need to address the terms of reference in your submission directly or explicitly – though you can if you want to – but it can be a helpful frame through which to think.

Do I need to include my personal details?
It’s entirely up to you. No matter what format your submission takes, you have the option to make it confidentially or with your name publicly attached. Making a confidential submission requires a reason, but in the eyes of the committee it is reason enough that you’re telling a personal story that you don’t want your name published with.

Can I attach supporting documents to my submission?
Yes! Feel free to include any documentation with your submission that supports your evidence.

HOW do I lodge my Submission?

Let’s aim to get ours lodged by the end of May.
Submissions are DUE BY 09 JUNE 2023.

Typed submissions:

• You can upload submissions directly on the
  Inquiry Page Parliament of Australia Website
  OR
• Email your submissions to: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au

Non-Typed Submissions:
If you’re not able to provide a submission as a typed document, the committee can take it in other forms including audio recording, video recording and hand-written.

If you would like to make a non-written submission or you require assistance to enable you to participate in the inquiry, please contact the Committee Secretariat by calling (02) 6277 3515 or emailing community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au.

If you are deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired and would like to make a submission, please call the Parliament House Telecommunications Relay Services (TTY) service on (02) 6277 7799.

• Tell people!
• Forward people to the Senate Inquiry into ADHD Services page on the ADHD WA website.
• Share our social media posts
• Invite people to join you at a free ADHD WA Submission Writing Workshop