South Australian (SA) Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas has promised to implement a new autism strategy for public schools and pre-schools if he is elected Premier in Saturday’s state election. The dedicated strategy for children on the autism spectrum will focus on specialist teachers and early intervention. Labor would invest $17.15 million (US$12.42 million) to appoint a qualified autism lead teacher for every public primary school from 2023, their role being to drive autism policy and practices suitable for that specific school, as well as be a point of contact for parents and teachers. The strategy would include funding for up to a day a week to recruit more teachers, freeing up the lead teacher to fulfil their role. As early intervention is critical for children on the autism spectrum, early diagnosis is equally important. Therefore, as part of Labor’s plan to offer universal three-year-old preschool to all children in South Australia …