2017-05-17
Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has welcomed reports that an open letter has been signed by 100 academics urging the Federal Government to establish a Royal Commission into the violence, abuse and neglect of people with disability.
“There was a large body of evidence to our senate inquiry on the level of violence, abuse and neglect of people with disability in institutional and residential care.
“Despite all this, the Government has rejected a recommendation by the senate inquiry for a Royal Commission into the issue. They also rejected a plethora of other recommendations that if implemented would help keep people with disability safer in care.
“It is quite astonishing that the Government seems so disinterested in protecting people that are at such a high risk of abuse, violence and neglect; what became clear from the senate inquiry is that it desperately needs further investigating.
“Without close and comprehensive scrutiny into the issue and substantial action, people with disability will continue to live in vulnerable conditions that expose them to harm.
“I call on the Government to reverse its decision not to hold a Royal Commission before more and more people with disability are put in harm’s way”.