QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE › Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (14:31): 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— The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Steele-John? Senator Steele-John: 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. The PRESIDENT: 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. Senator McALLISTER: 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) The PRESIDENT: Senator Steele-John, first supplementary?