Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Data from the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline has recently been published, revealing nearly 500 reports of abuse and neglect between July 2016 and June 2018. This adds to the multiple, detailed, ample evidence provided by the 2015 Senate inquiry into this issue. Minister, I have sent your counterpart letters. I have had conversations with you in public and in private. I have brought this matter up in the chamber many times—as have my colleagues before me, with your colleagues and before you. In light of this subsequent information, will the government now commit to a royal commission into the violent abuse and neglect of disabled people in institutional and residential settings?

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, this is, of course, an issue that we take very seriously. I note the comments that you have made. I will refer this matter to the minister and come back to the chamber with a response for you.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, a supplementary question.

Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There comes a moment in the process of all institutional failures when silence and inaction become complicity. That moment, Minister, has long since passed. Will the government now assume responsibility for any further atrocities that occur in institutional and residential settings?

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, as we know there are some institutions that are under state jurisdiction, and I have made comments in the past in relation to those. In relation to matters that are pertinent to aged care and residential aged care, I will take those matters on notice and refer those matters to the appropriate minister and come back to the chamber.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, a final supplementary question.

Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have waited for years for a royal commission into this issue, Minister. I do not like to think of the number of abuse cases that have transpired in that time. Will the government, at least here, offer its apologies to the individuals and families that have been affected in the time that has elapsed since your government was told that something needed to be done?

Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, Senator Steele-John, I take the comments that you have made. I will refer them to the appropriate ministers and I will come back to the chamber.