Released 29/09/2023 - Joint media release
Acting ACT Chief Minister Yvette Berry and Minister for Disability Emma Davidson today welcomed the public release of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability final report (the Report).
“This has been a long, but important process for people with disability and for every Canberran” said Acting Chief Minister Yvette Berry.
Acting Chief Minister Yvette Berry committed the government to working with people with disability to address the complex issues across a range of services and sectors raised in the Report.
“I am reconfirming our commitment to working with the disability community at all levels of government, in all sectors, to develop an ACT Government response to this Report,” said Acting Chief Minister Berry. “The ACT Government takes this Report seriously and will carefully examine the recommendations in the context of the ACT. Our response will only be successful if we work collectively to achieve a more inclusive society.”
The Royal Commission’s Report brings together over four and a half years of dedicated work by the Royal Commission and people with disability, their families and communities. The early tabling of the report by the Australian Government recognises the community’s rightful expectation to see the report as soon as possible.
ACT Minister for Disability Emma Davidson acknowledged the advocacy of the community in calling for an investigation into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.
“I acknowledge the tremendous efforts by the community of people with disability who advocated for the Royal Commission and I thank everyone who shared their experiences bravely, with integrity and dignity, over the past four and a half years” said Minister Davidson.
“Witnesses shared harrowing experiences that should have absolutely no place in our community. I agree with the Report’s findings that all parts of our society must do more to prevent these things from happening to people with disability ever again,” said Minister Davidson.
“It is important we respond comprehensively to the Report so we do not miss any opportunity to achieve real change,” said Minister Davidson.
The ACT Government has demonstrated its commitment to creating a more welcoming and accessible community and to improve the lives of the more than 80,000 Canberrans who identify as people with disability with the development of the ACT Disability Strategy.
“Following extensive consultation with the disability community I look forward to the release of the ACT Disability Strategy which will provide a strong foundation on which to build better equality, access, opportunity and inclusion as we develop our response to the Royal Commission Report,” said Disability Minister Davidson.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Emma Davidson, MLA | Media Releases