'Confronting' disability findings to be tackled quickly

Findings from the disability royal commission won't be confined to words on paper and will lead to tangible action, the social services minister has vowed.

In a speech to parliament, Amanda Rishworth said the federal government would take the commission's final report seriously, promising to work with the disability community on the best way to enact change.

The disability royal commission's findings were handed down last month after more than four years of hearings, making 222 recommendations.

Ms Rishworth said the evidence presented to the commission during its hearings was confronting.

"The volumes are released to be read, they should be reflected on by all of us in the years to come," Ms Rishworth told parliament on Thursday.

"Its message is clear: as a nation we must do better. Over the past four-and-a-half years, the outpouring of experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation have shocked and disturbed Australians."

All levels of government would need to work together in order to properly implement the findings from the commission, the minister said.

"The royal commission proposes a vision for an inclusive Australia in which people with disability live free from harm, where human rights are protected and individuals live with dignity, equality and respect," she said.

"This vision will take a coordinated effort from all of us, including attitudinal change through greater community understanding about disability."

Findings from the royal commission will feature prominently in future meetings between federal, state and territory governments.

Ms Rishworth said the government was developing a national disability strategy, along with a national framework.

Opposition social services spokesman Michael Sukkar said the coalition would support efforts to quickly implement findings from the royal commission.

"It's been an exhaustive process to get where we are now, an important one, and I think I have no reason to doubt it could have been done any faster," he told parliament.

"The government, in our view, needs to move as quickly as possible."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store