DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION REPORT

Labor welcomes the new report today from Disability Discrimination Commissioner Alastair McEwin.

The report reminds us that the level of violence and abuse against people with disabilities remains unacceptably high:

“18% of people with disability report being victims of physical or threatened violence compared to 10% of people without disability”.

The actual rate of people with disability experiencing violence is likely to be even higher than the rate which is reported.

This is a shocking situation and more needs to be done to prevent abuse and violence in the future.

Today’s report also highlights the importance of governments working together to ensure the newly established NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is effectively implemented.

Labor will consider the details of today’s report carefully.

Labor continues to call for a Royal Commission into violence and abuse against people with disability.

Only a Royal Commission can bring justice to victims and the friends and families of victims.

Only a Royal Commission can take the action needed to see justice brought to bear.

The Government should act now and establish a Royal Commission.