LABOR'S LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TO A ROYAL COMMISSION INTO VIOLENCE AND ABUSE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

On 26 May 2017 Labor announced a $26 million commitment to a Royal Commission into Violence and Abuse Against People with Disability.

The harrowing accounts of abuse, assault and neglect – too often in places where people with disability are meant to receive support – cannot be ignored.

Only a Royal Commission has the weight, authority and investigative powers needed.

Labor supports the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. We also remain committed to a Royal Commission into Violence and Abuse Against People with Disability.

We understand that people with disability have waited too long for such an inquiry – and it is essential.

Yesterday advocates and disability representative organisations wrote to Members and Senators calling for a separate Royal Commission:

“We have called for a specific disability Royal Commission for many years because the issues are so big, and so systemic that our own Royal Commission is warranted.”

[18 September 2018, correspondence to Members and Senators from People with Disability Australia, Women with Disability Australia, First Peoples Disability Network, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, and Children and Young People with Disability Australia]

Today this call has been reiterated:

“People with disability have the right to a stand-alone and targeted Royal Commission that will interrogate and address the full scope of violence, abuse and neglect of people with disability”.

Labor has listened to these calls. People with disability deserve nothing less.

A Shorten Labor Government will establish a dedicated disability Royal Commission as a matter of urgency.

It’s not Labor that needs to be convinced of the importance of a Royal Commission into Violence and Abuse Against People with Disability – it’s the Government.