Disability Commissioners gather for the first time

​​The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is rapidly getting underway with Commissioners meeting in Canberra on Friday 12 April 2019 for the first time.

The day-long meeting, chaired by The Hon Ronald Sackville AO QC, comes shortly after the government announced the Commission, reflecting the commitment of the Commissioners to get this important inquiry underway.

Commission Chair, Mr Sackville, emphasised that the Commission's work would be open, transparent and accessible to all. 

"People with disability and their advocates have worked hard to get this Commission established. We must break the cycle of broken promises that 'we'll do better next time', Mr Sackville said.

"As Commissioners we have varied experiences and backgrounds, but it is people with disability and their advocates who will be crucial to informing the Commission and helping it to fully understand the issues."

In the coming weeks, more information will be made available about how the Commission will undertake its work and how it will engage. In the meantime, there is much work to do to get this inquiry up and running including transitional arrangements and finding appropriate accommodation and facilities suitable for people with disability.

"We will provide essential supports and accessibility so that every member of the community has the opportunity to engage and participate," Mr Sackville continued. 

"If the arrangements and support proposed present any concerns for people wishing to engage with the Commission, every effort will be made to put alternative arrangements in place to ensure that the person is entirely comfortable with the process and those involved."

A temporary employment register has been established to fill vacancies within the Commission and applicants can apply at careers.ag.gov.au. People with disability are encouraged to apply.

A new website is now available, providing information about the Commission disability.royalcommission.gov.au. Details about how to engage and make a submission will be available in the future.