Protecting Canberra’s most vulnerable


Released 07/05/2020

Organisations and carers who abuse or exploit vulnerable members of the community, including the elderly, may be held criminally liable under new offences introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said the reforms will see the ACT become the first jurisdiction to create specific criminal offences to better protect vulnerable community members including the elderly and those with a disability.

"Many elderly and disabled community members require support to manage day-to-day tasks and can be particularly vulnerable to physical, psychological and financial abuse," Minister Ramsay said.

"The safety and dignity of vulnerable people is an absolute priority of the ACT Government. These protections are fundamental to supporting their basic human rights.

"While physical abuse is already a criminal offence, these reforms will ensure those whose abuse results in psychological and financial harm to a vulnerable person can be held criminally accountable.

"We will also ensure that institutions which care for vulnerable people, and those in a position to intervene to protect a vulnerable person, will commit an offence if they fail to protect the vulnerable person.

"The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has revealed Australians in the aged care system can face an increased risk of neglect and abuse.

"We are committed to becoming an even more age-friendly city, ensuring vulnerable community members can trust the people they rely on to keep them safe from harm."

A vulnerable person has been defined to mean an adult who either has a disability, or someone 60 or older and who has an additional vulnerability in addition to their age. This may include illness, disability or social isolation.

The Bill introduces offences which recognise that care of vulnerable people can occur in both a private setting, such as family members providing care at home, and in an institutional setting, with employees responsible for care in accordance with the entity employing them.

The offences, which can apply to both individuals and corporate entities, make abuse of a vulnerable person, neglect of a vulnerable person, and failure to protect a vulnerable person criminal offences, punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.

The introduction of a neglect offence will bring the ACT in to line with other states and territories on this matter.

- Statement ends -

Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases


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