Stronger protections for Australians with disabilities
By Kat Wong and Andrew Brown
Australians living with disabilities who receive services from providers outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme could be better supported and protected from harm.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth introduced legislation on Thursday to protect the rights and safety of those living with disability who are seeking support services.
Ms Rishworth said the reforms would “support people to participate in society, ensure safe and quality services and protect their rights”.
She said the new laws would replace existing measures that had not kept up with modern disability policy.
“The Disability Services Act, now more than three-decades-old, is outdated and too restrictive to accommodate the changing landscape of disability policy,” she told parliament.
“This includes a shift towards creating a more inclusive society and the nature of services and supports required to complement the NDIS.”
The new laws follow disturbing revelations of abuse from within disability service providers heard at the disability royal commission.
About one in every six Australians, or 4.4 million people, live with disability and many receive support from services separate from the NDIS.
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