Mr. Brian Higgins:

The fact that we have a service improvement programme for the autistic community supports what the Senator is saying about matters needing to change. There are inequities and challenges. The service improvement programme is in place to ensure that there is equitable access for anyone who requires services of an acceptable and agreed standard regardless of which services are being accessed, for example, primary care, disability or mental health. It is a challenge, which is why we are running the demonstrator. We are already gleaning a great deal from it, and there will be significant lessons from this committee that we can share and couple with that. We accept and acknowledge that it has not been an easy journey for many people with autism. We are trying to improve it.