Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Steele-John, for the question. Senator Steele-John, I think everyone in this place understands the significance of that royal commission, and I would hope that across this chamber we would have shared objectives in terms of protecting the rights of people with disability. I think that the stories and the courage of people who spoke with the disability royal commission about their own experiences are a continuing reminder of both some of the things that we must address collectively as a parliament but also the importance of truly listening to the voices of people with disability. If you may indulge me, this is my first opportunity to answer a question in question time after having taken on these responsibilities with the government, and it is my firm intention to work as closely as I may with people with disability to understand their perspectives as we work through some of the changes that are required.

We are working with the disability community to implement reform, and as part of our initial response we are making a range of investments to safeguard people, to uphold rights and to support inclusion. It builds on $3 billion of investments in the last term of parliament to build a more inclusive Australia. We do—