COMMUNITY Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH) members have acknowledged the federal government's work following the Disability Royal Commission but have expressed disappointment over their formal response.
CDAH chief executive officer, Andrew Vodic, said that broadly, members acknowledged that the federal government had taken the time to really consider "such a broad Royal Commission" and it's 222 recommendations.
"We want to acknowledge that there has already been some preliminary work done," Mr Vodic said.
"But we are disappointed at the low number of recommendations that they've have chosen to fully adopt."
Most accepted 'on principle'
Nine months after the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability made its recommendations, only 13 have been fully accepted - 130 were accepted "in-principle".
"One of the things that really jumps out at us is really that so much sits across governments," Mr Vodic said.
"Until federal and state governments have really nailed down what foundational supports will look like and into the future what those relationships between federal and state governments will be I think there's just so much that is still up in the air, particularly in the areas of education and health, because they really do cut across so many jurisdictions."
CDAH was in step with disability organisations throughout the nation in expressing disappointment at the response to the four-and-a-half-year commission.
The Royal Commission was established in 2019 and investigated reports of violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation involving people with disability. It held 32 public hearings, examined 837 witnesses and received more than 10,000 submissions.
Call for end to group homes
David Belcher, a convenor for the Community Disability Alliance Hunter, said the government had failed to respond properly to the issues of group houses.
"CDAH and CDAH members are passionate about a reduction in group homes and their use in the community," Mr Belcher said.
"That unfortunately was not addressed in a particularly satisfactory way at this point. We certainly acknowledge that it's quite a large project and maybe the time frame may have been ambitious, but we certainly strongly encourage the federal government to make any moves in that direction away from group homes and segregated home living arrangements."
People with disability and their families and carers shared many horrifying stories of abuse, neglect and violence that occurred in group homes with the commission.
There was also a lot more work to be done to ensure support for people to move from supported employment to mainstream employment.
As part of its commitment, the federal government has promised a $227.6 million specialist disability employment program, along with a disability employment centre of excellence.
Oversight a must
That was welcome, but it needed to come with oversight to ensure people move away from supported employment, Mr Vodic said.
"It's all very well for Minister Rishworth to say, and rightly so, that there is a lot of support for people to move towards full employment but who's watching, who's ensuring that happens."
In its response the federal government has promised better protection from discrimination for people with disability, and together with state and territory governments has agreed to review Australia's disability strategy.
NSW Minister for Disability Inclusion and Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said the Minns government was determined to honour the the strength and courage of those who shared their stories with the Royal Commission.
"The NSW Government's response is the roadmap for a safer, more inclusive NSW, a legacy paved by those who participated in the Royal Commission," Ms Washington said.
"We are committed to continuing to work in partnership with people with disability, their families and advocates to ensure that we're seizing this opportunity to make lasting change.
"The reforms before us are ambitious, but we will all work together to drive the changes people with disability deserve and have fought hard for."
Mr Belcher said the community was indebted to those who participated in the commission, sharing their stories and experiences, and the people who put it together, Mr Belcher said.
CDAH invited members of the community to share their feedback with the organisation.
