MOTIONS › Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Shadow Minister for Finance, Shadow Minister for the Public Service and Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) (12:44): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator GALLAGHER: Over 60 organisations and 1,500 individuals who have signed a petition are calling for the government to address the significant perceived conflict of interest that commissioners Barbara Bennett and John Ryan hold in relation to their appointments as commissioners to the disability royal commission. People with a disability, their organisations and supporters have called for these two commissioners to step down and for stronger provision for all commissioners about real, perceived and potential conflicts of interest. Labor is very concerned that many individuals and advocates from the disability community have said they will not participate or give evidence if these royal commissioners remain. It is essential that people with a disability, their families and carers and their organisations have confidence in the royal commission. It's time for the government to act.