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

My question is to the minister representing the minister for disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Wednesday marks one year since the government's response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was released, and still there has been no action on key recommendations, meaning disabled people continue to experience violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect at alarming rates. Minister, one year on, why have you not legislated for a disability rights act?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) Share this | Link to 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—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Steele-John?

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

On relevance: my question did go to the specific of a disability rights act and why it has not been legislated one year on from the release of the government's response.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That was part of your question, Senator Steele-John, and it went more broadly to the results, the outcomes and the evidence of the royal commission. Minister McAllister, I remind you of the whole question. Please continue.

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

The government is committed to working on these and other questions, Senator Steele-John, to improve community inclusion, mainstream services and disability support so that people with disability can get the support they need and participate on an equal basis. I simply want to draw your attention, in the time available, that we are reporting regularly on implementation progress, and the most recent report was published— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, first supplementary?

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

The disability royal commission recommended the establishment of a national disability commission to be an independent oversight body to take disabled peoples' complaints of abuse and discrimination. This commission still does not exist. When will the government establish a national disability commission?

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

Thanks very much, Senator Steele-John. The government is, as I've indicated, working with our state and territory counterparts on the many issues that were raised by the royal commission. I also have some additional information to provide to you in relation to your primary question, including information about options to reform the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. I can advise you that the Attorney-General's Department has been progressing work on options to reform this act and will shortly be commencing consultations with people with disability, their carers and families, employers, unions, educational bodies, small business and the broader community to participate and share their views on the best way to update the act. This review of the act is one part of the response to the commission, ensuring that Commonwealth antidiscrimination legislation remains fit for purpose.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Steele-John, second supplementary?

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

July is Disability Pride Month, a time for disabled people to celebrate who we are as individuals and as a community. Minister, what community led engagements have you attended to mark Disability Pride Month?

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

What I can inform the Senate is that, since becoming the minister, I have greatly enjoyed and welcomed my opportunities to meet with disabled people and understand their perspectives and worldviews. For me, that has meant trying to engage with the most diverse representatives of that community possible. It's meant visiting facilities people attend to undertake activities. It's meant meeting with representative organisations. It's meant being invited into people's homes and sitting around the kitchen table and understanding their perspectives on disability.

This is an immense and rich community with a rich political tradition that has, in some ways, culminated in the campaign to establish the NDIS—but it is not confined to that by any means. It is my great hope that I will be able to work closely, respectfully and thoughtfully with that community during my term as minister. (Time expired)