Second Progress Report

The Disability Royal Commission has released a Second Progress Report.

This is a summary of work carried out between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2020.

We have published six issues papers and processed large numbers of submissions and responses to issues papers.

More work is required to understand the experiences of people with disability in closed institutions such as prisons, youth detention centres, and other closed environments such as mental health and disability facilities.

The Chair, Ronald Sackville AO QC, said the Royal Commission has not been immune from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During these difficult times, our schedule of work has been interrupted in ways that no-one could have foreseen.

The resurgence of COVID-19 in Victoria demonstrates that we cannot be sure of when the pandemic will be over or even under control.

Fortunately with technology, we have been able to maintain engagement with people with disability.

We have resumed private sessions via video conferences.

We will use video conferencing for the next hearing in Sydney to investigate the experiences of people with disability during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The work of the Royal Commission must continue.

With ongoing dedication and commitment we will deliver an interim report by 30 October and the final report at the end of the Commission.

You can find the Second Progress Report and more information on our website. Go to the ‘Publications’ section, and click on 'Our reports'.