Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) was established in April 2019 in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability.

The Disability Royal Commission inquired into a broad range of matters including:

• what governments, institutions and the community should do to prevent, and better protect, people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, having regard to the extent of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation experienced by people with disability in all settings and contexts
• what governments, institutions and the community should do to achieve best practice to encourage reporting of, and effective investigations of and responses to, violence against, and abuse, neglect and exploitation of, people with disability, including addressing failures in, and impediments to, reporting, investigating and responding to such conduct
• what should be done to promote a more inclusive society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Disability Royal Commission final report

The Disability Royal Commission released its final report on 29 September 2023 outlining 222 recommendations on how to improve laws, policies, structures and practices to ensure a more inclusive and just society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Read the Disability Royal Commission final report.

Northern Territory response to Royal Commission

The Northern Territory Government acknowledges the extensive work of the Disability Royal Commission, and the invaluable experiences shared by individuals with disability, their families and carers and all contributors. We are committed to collaborating with the Australian Government, other states and territories, and the disability community to address the issues identified and implement meaningful changes.​

In our formal response, we have accepted 40 recommendations in full, with others accepted in principle, noted or subject to further consideration. Key areas of focus include:​

• Strengthening protections: Enhancing safeguards to ensure individuals with disability are free from harm.​
• Improving service access: Addressing barriers unique to the Northern Territory, especially in remote and Aboriginal communities, to ensure better access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment.​
• Promoting inclusion: Ensuring that people with disability have equitable opportunities to participate fully in society.​

We recognise the importance of deep engagement with the disability community, including those with diverse lived experiences, to ensure all people with disability experience better outcomes in the future. To support this, the Northern Territory Government has invested $920,000 to facilitate consultation and engagement with the disability community and stakeholders over a 2 year period.

The Northern Territory Government will continue to prioritise supports for people with disability through the 10-year Northern Territory Disability Strategy 2022–2032 and associated Action Plans, with guidance from the Disability Advisory Committee.

Northern Territory Response - Disability Royal Commission PDF (2.2 MB)
Northern Territory Response - Disability Royal Commission DOCX (840.8 KB)

Northern Territory Response - Disability Royal Commission - easy read PDF (2.9 MB)

National response

On 31 July 2024, a national response to the 85 recommendations with joint Australian Government, state and territory responsibility was released. To read the joint response, go to the Australian Government's Department of Social Services website.

The Northern Territory Government continues to work with its Australian Government and state and territory counterparts to progress implementation of the recommendations with joint responsibility.