Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Bill passes the House of Assembly

There were tears across the chamber as Tasmania’s House of Assembly passed the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Bill 2024.

The Bill was introduced into the Legislative Council, where it passed in September.

Minister for Disability Services, Jo Palmer, said this nation leading Bill will play a critical role in creating a safer and more inclusive Tasmania for people living with disability.

“This significant piece of legislation has been progressed to advance and safeguard the rights and full inclusion of all Tasmanians with disability,” Minister Palmer said. 

“It’s my hope that this Bill will become a driver of change through which Tasmania can become a more inclusive place.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to development of the Bill.

"For over two years we have consulted and worked alongside Tasmanians with disability to ensure it’s their voices and experiences that have guided and informed the creation of the Bill.”

The Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Bill 2024 implements a number of measures, including:

*            creating the position of a Tasmanian Disability Commissioner – the first for Tasmania;
*            establishing a mechanism for the formal inclusion of people with disability in leadership through the creation of a Disability Inclusion Advisory Council;
*            promoting a social model of disability and the human rights expressed within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) and Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS); 
*            formalising requirements relating to consultation, planning and reporting of progress in delivering actions through a legislated Tasmanian Disability Inclusion Plan and associated action plans for defined entities such as Government Departments and GBEs;
*            elevating the role of the Office of the Senior Practitioner to that of decision maker for the authorisation of restrictive practices used by disability service providers and regulates the use of restrictive practices by disability service providers; and
*            making provision for a Community Visitor Scheme to be established in the future in response to a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

Many measures in the Bill align with the recommendations handed down by the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is to help develop stronger communities for all Tasmanians.