The federal government’s response to the report of the Royal Commission into disability in Australia has been welcomed by AMES Australia. 

The government has accepted thirteen of the report’s recommendations in full, including on providing more disability advocacy and more inclusive disability education programs as well as action to prevent violence, neglect and exploitation. 

It has accepted 117 other recommendations in principle and will consider 36 others. 

The government has pledged $369 million towards this initial response, $227.6 million of which is for an employment program announced in the may federal budget.  

It also includes $12 million to amend the Migration Health Requirement and $20 million for “grassroots efforts to improve community attitudes around disability”. 

In welcoming the government’s response, AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said people with a disability who are from diverse communities must not be left behind by the reforms. 

“With our community more diverse than ever, with a third of us born overseas and half of us with one parent born overseas, it is important that reforms to disability care must be inclusive of, and responsive to, the needs of our culturally diverse communities,” said Scarth. 

“Discrimination and exploitation of people with a disability are compounded when those being discriminated against or exploited are from diverse communities.” 

According to Scarth, the Co-design ought to be part of implementing reforms to disability programs and arrangements.  

“It’s important that people living a disability have a say in what their lives look like,” said Scarth. 

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