Page 829 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 20 March 2019
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MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Pettersson for the supplementary. As so many people with a disability will want to share their story with the royal commission, it can reasonably be expected that the commission will run for a number of years. It is therefore important that we continue to ensure that we strengthen our safeguarding within our jurisdiction and nationally.
The ACT government is strongly of the view that the royal commission should take as long as it needs to so that everyone who wants to share their story can do so. But we are also acting now to further safeguard people with disability from violence, abuse and neglect. Members will be aware that the Human Services Registrar retains responsibility for ensuring that existing safeguards and standards are met for specialist disability services in the ACT.
The registrar has oversight, and monitors compliance, under the Disability Services Act and subordinate instruments. Some of these responsibilities will transition to the new quality and safeguards commission in the NDIS and the ACT government has worked to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible and has worked to implement the nationally consistent workers screening scheme for NDIS services.
We also have, Madam Speaker, as you will be aware, official visitors and the Human Rights Commission, particularly the Disability and Community Services Commissioner and the Public Advocate, in place to support people with disability where they have concerns about their quality of care.
Last year the government also established the Office of Senior Practitioner to work on the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices by service providers in the ACT. The senior practitioner works with providers to inform and assist in developing strategies to ensure best practice. Part of its role is educative and it has started a regular seminar series. These events have been well attended, with over 200 people attending the most recent forum in February. This shows the goodwill and commitment of Canberrans to improve services to recognise the rights and dignity of all people with disability.
MS CODY: Minister, what is the ACT government doing to ensure that people with a disability can access justice through the legal system?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Cody for the supplementary. The ACT government is committed to ensuring that we have the best measures in place to continue to protect vulnerable people from violence, abuse and neglect. We are also developing a disability justice strategy which will be finalised mid-year and which aims to ensure that people with disability have equal access to justice in the ACT. Too often we hear stories of people who have been subjected to violence, abuse or neglect not having their voices heard in the justice system. And this is something that must be addressed.
That strategy is being developed following wide-ranging consultations throughout 2018. It is being guided by a disability justice reference group which includes people with disability and lived experience of the justice system, as well as representatives
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