By Xavier Smerdon
PARENTS of Autistic children have been given hope after the Liberals announced a new P-12 school for children with the disorder if elected on Saturday.
Member for the Western Metropolitan region, Bernie Finn, made the announcement last week at the launch of campaign.
“Just because we live in the western suburbs does not mean that we should have sub-standard education and sub-standard schools,” Mr Finn said.
Mr Finn said the school would be an extension of the Laverton campus of the Western Autistic School which is currently only available for students up to grade three.
“In the Eastern suburbs there is education available up to Grade 12,” Mr Finn said.
“What is the big deal about those of us that live in the West?
“Why do they miss out on eight years of education?”
Mr Finn, whose nine-year-old son Liam has autism, said parents of autistic children had been demanding this for a long time.
“This is for those parents who lie awake at night worrying about what is going to happen to their children next year,” he said.
“I was in tears thinking about what we could achieve.”
Angela Hickey-Sorbello and Danny Sorbello, members of Action for Autism Education, welcomed the announcement.
“I slept very well last night after hearing the news,” Angela said.
“There were lots of happy tears.”
Bernie Finn said it was now up to Labor to match the promise.
“They need to match so that whatever happens this Saturday, we’re gonna have a school,” he said.
Danny Sorbello said he hopes Labor match the announcement.
“I’d be ecstatic (if Labor match that),” he said.
“If they don’t then it shows their interest in the area.”
