Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Guardianship and Administration Act 1986 - SECT 15

Functions of the Public Advocate

15. Functions of the Public Advocate

The functions of the Public Advocate are-

   (a)  to promote, facilitate and encourage the provision, development and
        co-ordination of services and facilities provided by government,
        community and voluntary organisations for persons with a disability
        with a view to-

   (i)  promoting the development of the ability and capacity of persons with
        a disability to act independently; and

   (ii) minimizing the restrictions on the rights of persons with a
        disability; and

   (iii) ensuring the maximum utilization by persons with a disability of
        those services and facilities; and

   (iv) encouraging the involvement of voluntary organizations and relatives,
        guardians and friends in the provision and management of those
        services and facilities; and

   (b)  to support the establishment of organizations involved with persons
        with a disability, relatives, guardians and friends for the purpose
        of-

   (i)  instituting citizen advocacy programs and other advocacy programs; and

   (ii) undertaking community education projects; and

   (iii) promoting family and community responsibility for guardianship; and

   (c)  to arrange, co-ordinate and promote informed public awareness and
        understanding by the dissemination of information with respect to-

   (i)  the provisions of this Act and any other legislation dealing with or
        affecting persons with a disability; and

   (ii) the role of the Tribunal and the Public Advocate; and

   (iii) the duties, powers and functions of guardians and administrators
        under this Act; and

   (iv) the protection of persons with a disability from abuse and
        exploitation and the protection of their rights; and

   (d)  to investigate, report and make recommendations to the Minister on any
        aspect of the operation of this Act referred to the Public Advocate by
        the Minister.