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Advocates hope a royal commission will help stop the abuse and neglect of people with disability, and warn Australians to expect some horrific stories.
The $528 million royal commission will hold its first public sitting in Brisbane on Monday, kicking off a three-year inquiry into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.
People With Disability Australia CEO Jeff Smith expects it will be an emotional and difficult time for those who have fought hard for a royal commission.
“I think that Australians will be somewhat horrified when some of these stories start to emerge,” Mr Smith told AAP.
Royal commission chair Ronald Sackville QC will outline the work of the three-year inquiry during Monday’s sitting.
Statements will also be made by another two of the seven commissioners, Andrea Mason and former disability discrimination commissioner Alastair McEwin, and barristers assisting the inquiry.
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations CEO Ross Joyce said the royal commission will hear tragic and horrendous stories.
“Some of them are going to be from the past, but I’m quite confident to predict that some of them are actually still happening as we speak,” Mr Joyce told AAP.
“They’re the areas where we need to have some rapid decisions made, rapid policy formulation, improvements to laws, to ensure that these things are stopped.”
The royal commission has a wide remit, covering all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in all settings including in homes.
The advocates hope the royal commission’s recommendations will drive systemic change.
“We want to stop people with disability suffering violence and exploitation and secondly we want changes made so that their lives are improved and they can be safe and part of an inclusive community,” Mr Smith said.
Australian Associated Press
