Royal Commission hears from Sunnyfield Disability Services
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability will hold an additional day of Public hearing 13 on Friday 10th September 2021 commencing at 9.30am (AEST).
During the hearing, Counsel Assisting, Kate Eastman SC, will outline proposed findings that could be considered by the Royal Commission in relation to a case study examined in May 2021. That case study concerned the experiences of several young people with disability living in a house in Western Sydney, NSW, operated by Sunnyfield Disability Services.
Several of the proposed findings are adverse to Sunnyfield.
At the hearing on 10th September, it is anticipated that Sunnyfield’s legal representative will submit that the Royal Commission should not make the adverse findings proposed by Counsel Assisting. In addition, legal representatives of the NSW Ombudsman will address an adverse finding proposed by Counsel Assisting in relation to the actions of the NSW Ombudsman.
No witnesses will be present at this hearing and no further evidence will be presented.
Counsel Assisting has already made detailed written submissions to the Royal Commission on the evidence presented at the May hearing. Sunnyfield, the New South Wales Ombudsman, the Commonwealth and the witness referred to as ‘Eliza’ have provided their written submissions in response. The written Counsel Assisting submissions and Responses to Counsel Assisting submissions are available on the Royal Commission’s website.
Chair Ronald Sackville AO QC will preside over the hearing and will be joined by Commissioner Alastair McEwin AM and Commissioner Rhonda Galbally AC.
Senior Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission, Kate Eastman SC, will appear along with Ms Elizabeth Bennett.
This additional day of Public hearing 13 will be closed to the public because of COVID-19, but will be live-streamed on the Royal Commission website and include live captioning and Auslan-English interpreters.
Information relating to Public hearing 13 held in May is available on our website.
Please note journalists should register (in advance if possible) with the Disability Royal Commission media team for a Lexel log-in code to be allocated.
Please direct all inquiries to the Disability Royal Commission Media team on 0436 841 066 or via our email DRCmedia@royalcommission.gov.au