Disability Royal Commission welcomes Dr Dinesh Palipana as a special adviser

Chair of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, Ronald Sackville AO QC, is delighted to announce the appointment of Queensland doctor and lawyer Dinesh Palipana OAM as the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Senior Adviser to the Disability Royal Commission.

Dr Palipana was the first quadriplegic medical graduate and medical intern in Queensland, and as co-founder of Doctors with Disabilities Australia, he has helped develop national policies for inclusivity in medical education and employment.

Now a senior resident at Gold Coast University Hospital, Dr Palipana also holds a degree in law, and was recently admitted as a Legal Practitioner in the state of Queensland.

He has been widely recognised for his extraordinary achievements and contribution to the Australian community. He is the current Queensland Australian of the Year and is a recipient of the Order of Australia.

“The Royal Commission has already benefitted from hearing about Dr Palipana’s personal and professional experiences after he appeared at two public hearings and spoke passionately about people with disability and the challenges they face in a health setting,” Mr Sackville said.

“We look forward very much to the contribution he will make helping to ensure the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability are reflected in our inquiry and his invaluable leadership and advice will help inform the Royal Commission as it continues its important work.”