Overview
- Harriet Shing used her valedictory address in the Victorian Parliament to say she was diagnosed with autism early in her parliamentary career and that she found telling people difficult.
- She thanked colleagues for specific adjustments such as changing lighting, managing last-minute changes and clearer communication, saying those accommodations made it possible for her to complete her work.
- Shing framed the disclosure alongside reflections on her ministerial roles and defended the Labor government’s record on equality reforms including same-sex marriage, IVF and adoption law changes, and banning conversion practices.
- The announcement adds to a small but growing number of public disclosures by Australian politicians about neurodivergence and sits against estimates that autism diagnoses have risen substantially in recent years, with Autism Spectrum Australia reporting about one in 40 people on the spectrum in 2024.
- Her revelation could increase public conversation about adult diagnosis and practical workplace supports in politics and other workplaces, making it more likely colleagues and institutions consider simple adjustments that enable people with autism to work effectively.