Category General
Update on confidentiality of Disability Royal Commission submissions
You may remember that DANA, with other National disability peak organisations, sent a joint letter in September to the Hon. Christian Porter MP to express concern about the lack of long-term legislative protections for confidentiality. The Attorney-General published a media release on 20 October announcing these amendments will be made, indicating that: "I have instructed my department to work swiftly on the amendments, with the aim of introducing in the Autumn sittings of 2021.” DANA has been hearing from advocates that this lack of assurance is adding uncertainty and complexity to the process of making submissions or deterring people from sharing their story.
#MakeItSafeToSpeak – Support Open Letter calling for confidentiality protections
Your advocacy organisation can now add your support to a joint letter to the Hon. Christian Porter MP, calling upon the Attorney-General to introduce legislation into the Australian Parliament to protect the confidentiality of information given to Disability Royal Commission. The Government has been aware of the need to amend the Royal Commissions Act since February and it’s well past time these changes were made.
National Disability Strategy for beyond 2020
The Australian Government is leading the development of a new National Disability Strategy for beyond 2020. Commonwealth, state, territory and local governments across Australia are working together in consultation with people with disability, their families and carers, advocacy organisations, and peak bodies to develop the new Strategy.
Safeguarding Task Force recommends funding advocacy
Following the suffering and death of Ann Marie Smith, the South Australian Government Minister for Human Services established the Safeguarding Task Force.
Recommendation 7 of the Safeguarding Task Force report is that "the State government invests in individual advocacy to assist individuals with accessing what they need from the NDIS and from the community."
National Counselling and Referral Service Extends its Areas of Support
Blue Knot Foundation will be elevating its promotion of the National Counselling and Referral service as a key trauma-informed support for people with disability, family members, carers, advocates and workers who have experienced or witnessed abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation. Anyone who wishes to access this support does not need to make a submission or have any prior involvement with the Disability Royal Commission.
Employment issues paper published by DRC
The Royal Commission wants to hear about people’s experiences across a wide range of employment settings including paid work, independent contracting, self-employment or apprenticeships as well as segregated employment settings and community based enterprises in First Nations communities.
Rights and Attitudes issues paper published by DRC
The Rights and Attitudes issues paper seeks feedback about community attitudes towards people with disability and about how well advocacy is working for people with disability, to prevent or help respond to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
COVID-19 – New Disability Information Helpline
A new service called the Disability Gateway is available for people with disability who need help because of coronavirus (COVID-19). It can help families, carers, support workers and services, too.
You can contact the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787 to talk about your concerns in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Emergency Planning and Response Issues Paper published by DRC
The Disability Royal Commission is seeking information about the experiences of people with disability during recent emergencies in Australia.
The Emergency Planning and Response Issues Paper published this week seeks feedback about what can be done to improve the safety and wellbeing of people with disability during similar emergencies in the future.
Disability Royal Commission calls for urgent action
The Royal Commission is calling on all Australian governments to ensure that responses to COVID-19 include dedicated strategies and take all necessary measures to protect and support people with disability.
Australian governments should seek input from people with disability, leading disability experts and advocates in developing their dedicated strategy, and in particular, in its COVID-19 Coordination Commission initiative.
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