People with Disability

What is a Royal Commission?

A Royal Commission is a special type of investigation into a particular issue. It is independent from the Government and has certain features, including:

• a Commissioner or a number of Commissioners appointed to run the investigation
• specific terms of reference that set out what the investigation covers
• a set period of time for the investigations, usually this can be extended
• public invitations to make written statements or give evidence in person about the issues
• public hearings
• broad powers requiring witnesses to attend hearings or to legally provide relevant documents
• releasing the findings of the investigation in a report, alongside recommendations for improvements.

At a federal level, a Royal Commission has powers under the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth). Different laws apply at a state level. In NSW, a Royal Commission has powers under the Royal Commissions Act 1923 (NSW).

What did this Royal Commission investigate?

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability investigated:

• what governments, institutions and the community should do to prevent and better protect people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in all settings and contexts
• what governments, institutions and the community should do to achieve best practice to encourage reporting, effective investigations and responses to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, including addressing failures in, and impediments to, reporting, investigating and responding to such conduct
  
• what should be done to promote a more inclusive society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation
• other relevant matters.

For more information, see About on the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability website.

Who were the Royal Commissioners?

The Honourable Ronald Sackville AO KC was appointed as Chair of the Royal Commission.

Mr Sackville was supported by six other Royal Commissioners:

• The Honourable Roslyn Atkinson AO
• Ms Barbara Bennett PSM
• Dr Rhonda Galbally AC
• Ms Andrea Mason OAM
• Alastair McEwin AM
• The Honourable John Ryan AM.

For more information, see Commissioners on the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability website. 

Can I still get legal advice about the Royal Commission?

Yes, although submissions closed on 31 December 2022, the Your Story Disability Legal Support (Your Story) will continue to provide free information, legal support and referrals. 

Your Story provides free legal advice to:

• people with disability
• their families
• carers
  
• supporters, and 
• advocates.

For more information, see Get legal support on the Your Story Disability Legal Support website.

What were the recommendations of the Royal Commission?

The Royal Commission released an interim report on 30 October 2020 and the final report on 29 September 2023. 

The Royal Commission has made 222 recommendations on how to improve laws, policies, structures and practices to ensure a more inclusive and just society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

You can find the Final Report on the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability website.