Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
The Australian Government has commenced a public consultation on draft Terms of Reference for a Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
The first step in setting up a Royal Commission is to establish its Terms of Reference.
The Government wants to hear from people with disability, their families and carers, and the disability sector, about what the Royal Commission should cover and the supports that might be required.
The Royal Commission will focus on what governments, institutions and the community should do to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.
It is likely to cover all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, no matter where it happens.
This consultation does not seek specific information on cases of abuse or violence.
If you are currently experiencing any form of violence or abuse, or are concerned for your safety, call 000 or contact Police.
Why we need a Royal Commission
The 4.3 million people with disability in Australia have the right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
People with disability are more likely to experience abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation than people without disability.
There have been a number of inquiries, where people with disability have spoken out about their experiences of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
A Royal Commission will hear from people with disability, their families and carers about their experiences of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation. It will help ensure people’s rights are protected and promote a more inclusive society.
Consultations on Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference sets out what the Royal Commission will cover and report on.
The Australian Government is seeking your views on the Terms of Reference to make sure they capture the issues that are important to people.
Have your say on the Terms of Reference by completing the public survey at engage.dss.gov.au
Support to participate
If you need help to complete the survey, contact the Survey Hotline on 1800 880 052 Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm AEST
People with disability, their families and carers can also get support from National Disability Advocacy Program advocates. The Disability Advocate Finder is at https://disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au
Next steps
The Government will seek the Governor-General’s approval to establish a Royal Commission after the public consultation is completed.
Your comments will be provided to the Government to inform the Terms of Reference.
Have your say on the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission by completing the survey at engage.dss.gov.au
Meet & Greet with us in 2019
Advocacy WA is going on the road around the South West in 2019 to talk about who we are and how we can help you and your clients.
Find out what we can provide!
For enquiries or to register, call us on 9721 6444 or email admin@advocacywa.org.au
The locations, times and dates for these events are listed below:
Bunbury
Location: Advocacy WA 101 Victoria St Bunbury
Time: 2.30-3.30pm
Dates:
Wednesday April 10
Tuesday 18th June
Tuesday 27th August
Tuesday 29th October
Busselton
Location: Forrest Personnel Suite 2/72 Duchess St Busselton
Time: 1.30-2.30pm
Dates:
Tuesday April 30
Tuesday 2nd July
Wednesday 11th September
Wednesday 13th November
Margaret River
Location: 33 Tunbridge St, Margaret River
Time: 11.00-12.00pm
Dates:
Tuesday 5th March
Tuesday 7th May
Tuesday 16th July
Tuesday 24th September
Tuesday 26th November
Collie
Location: Collie Family Centre 5 Forrest St Collie
Time: 2.00-3.00pm
Dates:
Wednesday 13th March
Tuesday 21st May
Tuesday 30th July
Tuesday 1st October
Wednesday 11th December
Manjimup
Location: 1A Edward Street (cnr Edward & Rose Streets)
Time: 11.00-12.00pm
Dates:
Tuesday 26th March
Tuesday 4th June
Wednesday 14th August
Tuesday 15th October
NDIS Information Session
From 1 July 2018, the National Disability Insurance Agency will assume responsibility for delivering the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in WA.
Participants, family members, carers, providers and anyone interested in hearing about how the scheme will roll out in WA over the coming years are very welcome to attend.
The session will provide:
– An overview of the recently signed bilateral agreement
-Information about the transfer of people from WA NDIS to the federal scheme
-Information about the transition of people from existing state disability services into the NDIS
-Information about the scheduled rollout of the scheme in WA
-Opportunity for question and answer and networking
City of Bunbury Council Function Centre
4 Stephen St (enter off Princep or Wittenoom streets)
Bunbury 6230
Tuesday 23 January
10:30am – 12pm
RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/ndia-general-information-session-tickets-42025577634
NDIS to NDIA Timeline
The transition timeline from WA NDIS to NDIA in the Lower South West is expected to occur between September and December 2018.
For more information please regularly check the NDIA website which provides daily Q&A updates:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/index.html
and
https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/qanda-18dec.html
Transition to Federal NDIS
Advocacy South West welcomes the announcement by the McGowan Government that WA will be signing up to the federal NDIS.
The announcement provides much needed certainty for people with disabilities, their families and carers who have experienced much anxiety waiting for a decision. As part of the National Scheme Western Australians will now be assured that they are part of a fully national scheme that is consistent across Australia.
People currently in WA administered NDIS will have their plan transferred to the federal scheme from April 2018.
INFORMATION
Fuestions raised in social media and other channels are addressed weekly.
Information sessions about the national NDIS are available from January 2018 for people with disability and providers in those areas transferring from WA NDIA before July 2018.
Details are published on the events page on the NDIS website https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/events/wa.html and promoted in newspapers and on social media.
Local Coordinators can also provide information about when people will move into the Commonwealth NDIS and where to access more information.
Please click the link below to answer any FAQS about the NDIS rollout.
New Kit to Support Aboriginal People to Access NDIS in WA
NDIS in WA Brochure – Do you have a disability?
This brochure provides lots of examples of services to support people with disability and/or mental illness and also a step by step guide to accessing support. This can be accessed via the Developmental Disability WA Website
NDIS in WA Planning Handbook
This easy to understand planning handbook can help people with disability and/or mental illness to think about their future and plan what things would make their life better. Download a FREE copy by clicking here
Watch Robbie Ryder’s story on Youtube about how the NDIS has supported him, introduced by Michael Walters from the Fremantle Dockers
Watch Tash Kelly’s story on Youtube about how the NDIS has supported her, introduced by Michael Walters from the Fremantle Dockers
Surveillance Audit 2017
ASW is undergoing a Surveillance Audit of National Standards on the 26th and 27th of September.
Two open sessions have been arranged. One opening meeting on Tuesday the 26th at 9am and one closing meeting at 3.30pm on Wednesday the 27th.
Both meetings will be held in the Old Lotteries House Conference Room.
All consumers and support persons are welcome to attend.
ASW Annual General Meeting
Advocacy South West will be holding our Annual General Meeting Tuesday the 10th of October
in the Lotteries House Conference Room 101 Victoria St Bunbury commencing at 6pm.
For more information call Roxy on 9721 6444 or email admin@asw.org.au