Federal, state, and territory governments have released their responses to the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations.
The top-level inquiry found Australians with disabilities face higher rates of violence, neglect, and abuse than those without disability.
The Commission made 222 recommendations to improve laws, education, employment, and housing options for people with disabilities.
Here’s what the Government has and hasn’t accepted.
Royal Commission
The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) was a years-long inquiry that heard from around 10,000 people with disabilities and representatives from the disability community.
The final 13-volume report was released in September 2023. The Federal Government had initially pledged to respond earlier this year.
The DRC found people with disabilities face harm, exclusion, and discrimination in many areas of society, including in housing, employment and education.
Calls to act
The DRC’s final report made 222 recommendations for state and federal governments, noting multiple failings to protect people with disabilities from human rights abuses, breaching international obligations.
Of the 222 recommendations, the Federal Government said 172 fell within its scope. It has accepted 13 recommendations and accepted another 117 in principle.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said she hopes the accepted reforms will create “real and lasting change for people with disability”.
Accepted
The Government agreed to reform ‘Australia’s Disability Strategy’, a keynote policy targeted at improving inclusion for people with disabilities. Driving down homelessness will now be part of the Strategy.
It also agreed to boost the number of Auslan interpreters and consider how to better train prospective interpreters.
Data and reporting on the prescription of anti-depressants and mood-stabiliser medication to people with disabilities will also be made available, after the DRC found these drugs are overprescribed to those with cognitive disability.
What wasn’t accepted?
Some key recommendations were not immediately adopted by the Government, including a suggestion to remove ‘segregated’ settings, like group homes, dedicated schools, or job opportunities specifically for people with disabilities.
The Government plans to reform group homes – where numerous people with disabilities are accommodated – to ensure there are more opportunities to socialise outside these homes.
However, it did not immediately agree to the DRC’s proposal to phase out group homes within 15 years.
Three out of seven DRC commissioners suggested getting rid of schools for students with disabilities. The while the others acknowledged they can “maximise well-being for some people with complex need“ .
The Government has rejected the proposal, saying it recognises the “ongoing role” of specialist schools, “providing choice for students with disability and their families”.
It will also weigh up the DRC’s proposal to end segregated jobs, saying “supported employment” workplaces should not be the only option for people with disabilities to enter the workforce.
Disability Rights Act
The DRC urged the Government to establish a Disability Rights Act to “recognise the human rights of people with disability”. It would also provide a legal avenue for people with disabilities to be compensated if their rights are breached.
The Government said it would further consider introducing this legislation.
In its response, it pointed to other laws it has brought in since coming to power, including better support and funding services for people with disabilities who aren’t covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Advocates
President of the peak body People with Disabilities Australia Marayke Jonkers told TDA the Government’s response was “devastating” and “disappointing”.
“[It’s] actually quite a shock in terms of how much effort and energy and emotional trauma was caused to everybody who gave evidence and spent 10 years fighting for this Royal Commission,” Jonkers said.
She said it was a missed opportunity to address inequality in areas like employment and housing.
Reaction
Shadow Social Services Minister Michael Sukkar said the Opposition is closely considering the Government’s response.
Greens Disability Rights and Services spokesperson, Jordon Steele-John, called Labor’s response “lacklustre” and an “insult” to people with disabilities.
He also suggested the Government is prioritising its budget over improving outcomes.
“Disabled people will no longer accept being kept out of view, restrained to our beds, locked in institutions, or subjected to ableism and segregation by Government policies,” he said.
