Disability Royal Commission granted an extension until September 2023

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has welcomed today’s announcement by the Australian Government granting its request for an extension of time to deliver its Final Report.

The Final Report will now be due on 29 September 2023.

The grant of an extension acknowledges the breadth of the Royal Commission’s responsibilities under its Terms of Reference and the significant and prolonged disruptions to the Commission’s program as a result of COVID-19. 

Chair of the Royal Commission, the Hon. Ronald Sackville AO QC, in welcoming the decision, said:

“The delay in granting the requested extension has created some difficulties for the Royal Commission, but now we have certainty about the date for delivery of the Final Report we can settle the program of hearings for the remainder of the Commission’s life. Once finalised, details of the program will be published on the Royal Commission’s website.”

The Chair also said,

“With the granting of this extension, it is now possible for the Royal Commission to discharge its considerable responsibilities to a standard that informed observers would regard as acceptable. Along with arranging our public hearing schedule, we can organise private sessions with certainty, proceed with the Royal Commission’s research program and conduct a full range of engagement activities. We can also continue to investigate examples of violence, against and abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability that are at the heart of the Terms of Reference.”

For further information, please contact the Disability Royal Commission media team on 0436 841 166.