Australian Government to hold Royal Commission into abuse and neglect of disabled Australians.
Dark to LIGHT
Scott Morrison chokes back tears announcing royal commission into disability abuse
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has launched a $527 million royal commission into the abuse and neglect of disabled Australians in an emotional announcement of an inquiry to run for at least three years.
The commission will be led by former Federal Court judge Ronald Sackville and include another five commissioners to examine conditions and experiences "in all settings" including schools, institutions, workplaces and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Mr Morrison came close to tears when he dedicated the royal commission to disabled Australians including his brother-in-law, Garry Warren, who has multiple sclerosis.
Mr Morrison said he wanted the royal commission to make sure disabled Australians could be "all that they can be" and experience the richness of life in Australia.
"Having said that, there are enormous supports provided to people with disabilities in this country. And as my brother-in-law Garry always said to me, it's not flash being disabled, but the good thing is, that that's the condition you live with in Australia, and that you're in Australia. And that has always meant a lot to me."
Mr Morrison paused at that point to choke back tears and said disabled Australians deserved the nation's respect.
"This is so above politics, I can't tell you," he said.
"To all those Australians with a disability, their families, to Garry, this is for you."
Mr Morrison praised Greens senator Jordon Steele-John for advocating the commission and putting forward detailed terms of reference, saying this was a sign of his passion rather than any partisanship.
The funding includes $379.1 million for the Attorney-General's Department to run the commission but there is another $149 million to cover related costs for Commonwealth agencies.
This will be used to offer support such as advocacy services, counselling.
"I want to stress this will be very hard for people to come and engage with this, just as it has been in previous commissions of this nature," Mr Morrison said.
"And it's not just about getting people to the [microphone], it's about supporting them afterwards and before as well, and this budget builds that in."
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-chokes-back-tears-announcing-royal-commission-into-disability-abuse-20190405-p51b2c.html