Disability royal commission findings handed down
The Coalition acknowledges the tabling of
Report of the Disability Royal Commission in response to community concern
about widespread reports of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people
with disability.
The Royal Commission
was established by the Coalition in April 2019, and began to accept public
submissions from 30 July that same year.
The Coalition will
closely examine the Royal Commission’s report and scrutinise the Albanese
Government’s response to the findings and the 222 recommendations to improve
the health, housing, education, employment and legal systems for people with
disabilities.
Having commenced the
Royal Commission, we expect the Albanese Government to meaningfully and
thoroughly respond to the report in a timely manner.
It has been a long
road leading to the release of the Royal Commission’s findings, with 7,944
submissions received, 17,824 phone enquiries, 14 issues papers published and
1,785 private sessions held.
During this process
the former Coalition government also agreed to Commissioner Sackville’s request
to extend the Royal Commission for a further 17 months to September 2023.
The former Coalition
government committed a total of $527.9 million, over five years, for the
operation of the Royal Commission, including $148.8 million over three years to
the Department of Social Services, the National Disability Insurance Agency and
the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission to
provide counselling services and other support to people with disability in
connection with their participation in the Royal Commission.
The Opposition notes
the Royal Commission’s report and acknowledges the Commission’s work.