Disability advocates demand action three years after Royal Commission report

Three years after the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) released its final report, disability advocacy groups are criticizing federal and state governments for a lack of progress in implementing its 222 recommendations. A national coalition of advocacy organizations released a report card assessing 10 key recommendations, finding that none have been fully delivered. The assessment noted that while two show some progress and three are in early stages, four show no real action and one has regressed.

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) is specifically calling for a National Human Rights Act to provide enforceable legal protections. Advocates argue that while Australia has agreed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), these rights are not adequately reflected in domestic law, leaving individuals with limited options for redress when rights are violated.

The coalition has launched the ‘The DRC Still Matters’ campaign to highlight the ongoing need for action. Concerns have also been raised regarding the oversight of these reforms, as Senate Estimates revealed that a federal taskforce established to monitor progress has been disbanded.