Ministers in federal, state and territory governments have issued a joint statement on their responses to the Disability Royal Commission’s Final Report into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Since the report was released in September last year, all governments have been consulting with communities on how to respond.  

The joint statement from federal, state and territory disability ministers, welcomes the Disability Royal Commission report and acknowledges its importance.  

The Disability Royal Commission recommended that governments respond to the report by 31 March 2024. However, given the scale and complexity of the reforms being recommended and the importance of consulting widely and understanding implications, the joint statement says that a whole of government response will instead be issued by mid-year. 

The statement notes that addressing the report’s 222 recommendations will need a coordinated national effort. In 2024, Disability Ministers will give priority to aligning the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review, and the reforms will be standing agenda items in all their meetings. 

On foundational supports, a key recommendation in the NDIS Review, the statement commits all governments to engaging with the disability community to create a unified support system, ensuring that people with disability can get culturally appropriate, safe and quality services and supports across Australia.  

NDS welcomes the joint statement and looks forward to reviewing the whole of government response in the coming months. 

The joint statement can be read on the Department of Social Services website.