Almost 8,000 submissions received as Royal Commission creates real change

Today the Royal Commission published its seventh and final Progress Report, covering its activities from 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2022.

During this six months period, the Royal Commission achieved a number of significant milestones. The Royal Commission held its 1,500^th private session on 22 November 2022. By 31 December 2022, the closing date for submissions, it had received a total of 7,944 submissions.

The Royal Commission received 1700 submissions in the month of December 2022, almost one fifth of the total number of submissions.

The Chair of the Royal Commission, the Honourable Ronald Sackville AO KC, said the significant influx of submissions in December reflected growing appreciation among people with disability and the community generally of the importance of the Royal Commission’s work.

‘We have now had over 9,500 people and organisations sharing experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability and making significant suggestions for change,’ the Chair said.

‘People’s stories and ideas for change have already enriched the Royal Commission’s work and they will inform recommendations in the Final Report.

‘This reflects the Terms of Reference which required us to establish accessible arrangements for people with disability, their families and carers to engage with the inquiry and share their experiences. We are most grateful to all those who have made submissions or participated in private sessions.’

The report records that between July and December 2022, the Royal Commission held:

• Seven public hearings, including hearings on homelessness, conditions in prisons and how the National Disability Insurance Scheme operates for First Nations people in remote communities,

• 441 private sessions, and

• A range of community engagement activities, including a workshop where people with disability put forward their views on creating a more inclusive travel industry.

The Royal Commission published four reports including a research report on violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of LGBTQA+ people with disability.

The Progress Report notes that the Royal Commission’s work has already brought about changes to policies and practices that will improve the lives of people with disability.

Read the Seventh progress report on our website. Easy Read and Auslan versions are also available.

Please direct all inquiries to the Disability Royal Commission media team on 0436 841 166 or via our email DRCmedia@royalcommission.gov.au.