Analysis: ‘Buck needs to stop’ on Australia’s disability nightmare

The final, horrifying findings by the disability Royal Commission may be shocking to some, but for countless Australians the revelations are simply no surprise, writes Julie Cross.

While many Australians will be shocked at the horrifying findings by the Royal Commission, people with a disability and their families are not.

Stories of abuse and neglect like that of Adelaide woman Annie Smith are not isolated.

She had cerebral palsy and relied on a carer for all her needs.

Instead all the ‘care’ she got was to be left in a chair 24 hours a day in “disgusting and degrading” conditions for nearly a year.

As a result of the horrific neglect, she died of malnourishment at the age of 54.

People are being banned from working in the disability sector every week.

Family and disability advocates of Annie Smith are seen outside the Adelaide District Court after she died of malnourishment while living with cerebral palsy. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

In some cases they’ve been jailed for disgusting crimes against vulnerable people.

One disability advocate, River Night, who lives with autism, said they didn’t need a Royal Commission to know what’s broken.

“We needed a way for all Australians to wake up and see what state the sector is in and appreciate why reform is necessary,” he said.

“The report is full of terrible things that should never have happened but did.

“The legacy and generational trauma and impact on the people who have experienced these acts is ongoing and it’s compounded because this is not history it’s still happening. Every day. Right now.”

On Friday Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten said 16 of the 222 recommendations were made in relation to the NDIS and 42 in relation to the NDIS watchdog.

He said they were already working on improvements and a review of the NDIS was imminent.

Minister for Families and Social Services Amanda Rishworth promised a review of their progress in the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendationsnext year.

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten said 16 of the 222 recommendations were made in relation to the NDIS and 42 in relation to the NDIS watchdog. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Mr Night said there were repeated examples of agencies not learning from their mistakes and allowing abuse to happen over and over again.

“And now the buck needs to stop,” he said.

“Many of the cases and matters raised cannot wait another day for action and they certainly cannot wait till the next election year.

“We need every stakeholder involved in decision making and policy change working now to safeguard the most vulnerable in our community and build a sector all Australians have a right to feel safe in.”

Originally published as Analysis: ‘Buck needs to stop’ on Australia’s disability nightmare