Announcement of the Royal Commission
On 5 April 2019, the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher, announced the establishment of a 3 year, $527 million Royal Commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.
If you are an NDIS Accredited provider, or participate in any way with persons of disability, this Royal Commission will apply to you.
The interim report is due October 2020, with the final report due April 2022 - more time will be given if needed.
Terms of Reference
The full Terms of Reference with specific terms in the letter of patent can be found, here. The government has also released an ‘easy to read’ version which can be accessed, here.
Key Aspects of the Terms of Reference
These terms of reference refer all people with disability, including people with physical disability, sensory disability, intellectual disability and psycho-social disability. There will be examination of the harm people with disability experience because of their many different needs and circumstances, including all age groups, genders, sexual orientation, cultures, and if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. The important role that families and carers play will be examined, as well as the role of people who work with people with disability.
The key reason a Royal Commission has been established is because disabled persons can potentially be exposed to vulnerabilities resulting from their disability however still have the same human rights as everyone else, including the right to feel valued, have dignity – to be treated with respect, have the right to be safe, and they should be free to use those rights. People with disability also have the right to be free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation which can often be exacerbated amongst those who are more vulnerable.
The Commissioners will look at all of the groups that provide services to people with disability including government, institutions, service providers, schools, workplaces, businesses, charities, and the community.
The Commissioners will find out how these groups can protect people with disability. This includes looking at what has stopped people from reporting a problem, looking into a problem, or taking action, the quality and safety of all services and supports, as well as look at problems that happen again and again.
The Commissioners will also look at how we can make our society better for people with disability, including examples of the positive work that people are already doing to fix these problems, and what people have already found out and recommended in this area.
Update alerts
You can subscribe to the department of social services for RC updates (at the bottom of the link below you can enter your email)
Informative Resources
Disclaimers: Any statements concerning legal matters are based solely on our experience as insurance brokers and risk consultants and are not to be relied upon as legal advice, for which you should consult your own professional advisors. LCPA: 19/035