The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability in the Australian Parliament was filled with people who wanted to talk before the final report was delivered with 222 recommendations. 

Over the four and a half year course of the Royal Commission, 7,944 submissions were received and 1,785 private sessions were held.

Announced in 2019, the Royal Commission was the result of years of calls from spokespeople for people with disabilities.

National Disability Sector advocate River Night said despite welcoming the report all this time later, the findings were unsurprising. 

“The bottom line is we didn’t need a Royal Commission to know what’s broken. We needed a way for all Australians to wake up and see what state the sector is in and appreciate why reform is necessary,” Mr Night said. 

According to the report, the evidence was conclusive that reform is needed, recounting stories of victims who live with fear of harassment from the public, disproportionate pay and education and carer abuse. 

"The Report is full of terrible things that should never have happened but did. The legacy and generational trauma and impact on the people who have experienced these acts is ongoing and it’s compounded because this is not history it’s still happening. Every day. Right now. 

The recommendations include the introduction of an Australian Disability Rights Act, a government portfolio specifically responsible for disability and more broadly, dismantling the barriers that prevent people with a disability from accessing inclusive education, employment and accessible and safe housing. 

With 222 recommendations, Mr Knight said that implementation of basic asks and requirements will be key. 

“Some of the recommendations are for safeguards and programs that were in place before the rollout of NDIS 10 years ago,” he said. 

“What truly makes me sad is that after 10 years of NDIS we are still asking for things as simple as being treated as a human.”

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said that the Government is listening to the findings. 

“We recognise the hurt and trauma you have experienced and we are committed to creating a safer, more inclusive Australia for all people with disability. 

As part of those efforts, Minister Rishworth announced a taskforce who will lead the government’s response to the Royal Commission report. An update is expected early next year .

A review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme will be finalised and delivered this month.