The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was established in April 2019 in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability. These incidents might have happened recently or a long time ago. It is a critical milestone in bringing about change. QDN participates in the Royal Commission by making submissions to its Inquiries.

Australian Government Progress Update on the Disability Royal Commission

On 13 March 2024 the Federal Government released a progress update on its consideration of the Disability Royal Commission final report and its recommendations. The progress update outlines the work and consultations Government is undertaking before formally responding to the recommendations.

Key points:

  • The date for Federal Government’s response to the Final Report has been pushed out to mid-June 2024.
  • The Disability Royal Commission Taskforce has been established and will continue to engage with people with disability, their families and carers throughout 2024 to support the government’s response and establish arrangements to monitor and report on implementation.
  • Prioritisation and timing of the reforms are being carefully considered by Government to ensure changes are delivered in a staged and sustainable way to include deeper consultation and co-design.
  • The progress update includes work the Government started before the release of the report including actions under Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031, the new Disability Services and Inclusion Act and significant NDIS reforms including the NDIS Review.
  • The Government acknowledges the strong community interest in education, employment and housing particularly around segregated settings and will continue to consult with people with disability, their families and carers to understand the diverse views before formally responding.

The progress update is available in Easy Read, Auslan, Braille and large print here Australian Government Progress Update on the Disability Royal Commission | Department of Social Services, Australian Government (dss.gov.au)

Summary of QDN’s 2023 Disability Royal Commission forums (health, housing, employment)

In November and December 2023, QDN hosted four member forums on the Disability Royal Commission final report; these were an information session, and three forums to discuss recommendations on health, housing, and employment.
We have created a document that summarises the key themes discussed at these forums and have made the recordings available.
Read the summary document:
Watch the videos here: 

Summary of QDN’s 2024 Disability Royal Commission education forum

In April 2024 QDN held a member forum to discuss recommendations made in the Disability Royal Commission specifically around education.
We have created a document that summarises the key themes discussed at the forum and have made the recordings available.
Read the summary document:
Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/tz9_a_sfgEc 

Submissions and consultations

The purpose of the Commission is to transform community attitudes and bring about changes to policies and practices that have exposed people with disability to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation that denied them ‘full and effective participation and inclusion in society’.

The most important part of the Disability Royal Commission’s work is the engagement with people with disability, their families and supporters.

QDN will continue to provide submissions to the Disability Royal Commission as requests and issues papers are released.

In the past we have consulted with members to make submissions about:

 

A man and a woman, both in wheel chairs facing each other talking, in front of a white brick wall and there is a bright yellow painted arrow on the ground,

Member story on it's way

Watch this space!

Read moreabout this member story.

QDN resources

Watch this space for current resources around the Disability Royal Commission.

Click here to head to QDN's full list of resources.

External links

To participate in the Disability Royal Commission, write submissions, respond to discussion papers, attend hearings or to tell your story click here. 

If you are affected by the themes of the Disability Royal Commission and would like some free and independent support, you can call the Blue Knot Foundation on 1800 421 468.

You can also video conference, SMS, and web chat with them. Click here to visit the Blue Knot Foundation website.