- Western Australia responds to the
recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and
Exploitation of People with Disability
- The Cook
Government has responded to the 132 recommendations applicable to WA
- WA
Response provides an opportunity to address the challenges faced by people with
disability by making WA safer, more accessible and more inclusive
The Cook Government has today
formally responded to the findings of the Royal Commission into
Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
Established
in 2019, the Royal Commission ran
for four and a half years and heard from almost
10,000 Australians who shared their stories in public hearings, submissions or
private sessions.
It identified instances of discrimination,
exclusion and structural barriers to accessing supports and services, producing
an insight into the challenges experienced by many people with disability in
Australia.
The Royal
Commission Final Report, released in September 2023, contains 222
recommendations for change that aim to make Australia a more
inclusive society that promotes and upholds the independence of people with
disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and
exploitation.
Significant work has been
undertaken across Government to develop a response to the 132 recommendations
relevant to Western Australia.
The State Government has
committed to accepting, accepting in principle or accepting in part, 100 of the
132 recommendations. The 32 remaining recommendations will
be considered further.
Implementing
the recommendations is a long-term project taking a whole-of-Government approach
and co-ordination across national disability reform including
recommendations from the National Disability Insurance Scheme Review.
The State
Government is committed to working through the recommendations in consultation
with people with disability, their families and carers, disability services
sector, and the broader community to deliver better outcomes for people with
disability.
You can read the WA
Government's response to the Royal Commission Final Report online at https://www.wa.gov.au/government/royal-commission-violence-abuse-neglect-and-exploitation-of-people-disability
Comments attributed to Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
"I would like to extend
my sincere gratitude to those people who shared their stories and experiences
with the Disability Royal Commission. I am deeply appreciative of their contribution
and efforts to create the change needed to improve the lives of people with
disability in Australia.
"I also recognise people with disability and
many supporters who campaigned tirelessly for this Royal Commission. The
outcomes from this process will be the result of your perseverance and great
bravery.
"The Cook Government has
undertaken significant work and taken time to carefully consider the
recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission.
"While some of the
recommendations have already been addressed through past work and some are
underway, we want to ensure the priorities of people with disability, their
families and carers are front and centre of this work going forward."
