Prime Minister Scott Morrison has choked back tears while officially launching a royal commission into the abuse and neglect of disabled Australians. 9News
"People living with disability have faced the most difficult of circumstances because of their own condition," he said. "But worse than that is the lack of a culture of respect towards people with disability that leads to their abuse and mistreatment.
"We have to establish a culture of respect for people living with disabilities and the families who support, love and care for them." An emotional Mr Morrison quoted his brother-in-law Gary, who has multiple sclerosis, while announcing details of the royal commission. "As my brother-in-law Gary said to me, it is not flash being disabled, but the good thing is that that's the condition you live with in Australia and that you're an Australian," he said, pausing to clear his throat. "That has always meant a lot to me. They deserve our respect. This is so above politics I can't tell you.More than 3700 people responded to public consultation on the terms of reference.But Mr Morrison said if the six royal commissioners need more time, they would receive it.Opposition Leader Bill Shorten promised to adhere to the funding and scale of the commission should Labor win the coming federal election. "This is what we wanted and if the government's not being stingy about the roll out of it - fine," he told reporters in Canberra. Greens senator Jordon Steele-John, who was a leading advocate for the commission, is proud it is coming to fruition after years of campaigning. "We are dying in our homes, in our workplaces, in our educational spaces. We are being raped, we are being starved, we are being beaten," the senator told ABC News. However, Senator Steele-John is disappointed there is no mention of redress in the terms of reference. He also says two of the commissioners with previous responsibilities in the disability sector, John Ryan and Barbara Bennett, were "good people" but should not be involved because of potential conflicts of interest. A spokeswoman for Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher said the pair had received Australian honours for their significant contribution in their fields.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Budget 2019: 'We're bringing the budget back in black', Scott Morrison vowsPrime Minister Scott Morrison says the coalition has been working towards the surplus it will deliver in Tuesday's budget since it was elected in 2013.
Read more »
Federal budget live blog: Morrison’s daggy Insta pic pannedPM ScottMorrisonMP is excited about the budget. He’s shared a moody picture on Instagram, made a bit of a dad joke and now he is copping it online. budget2019 auspol
Read more »
Federal Budget 2019: Scott Morrison, Coalition wage war on urban congestion with multibillion-dollar campaignWar chest will give Coalition plenty to spend in election battle fought over urban congestion.
Read more »
Welcome to Victoria, PM: Jon Faine goes the budget biff, and is accusedIt was all going so well. For about two seconds. Right up to Prime Minister Scott Morrison's cheery 'g'day Jon' as his post budget selling offensive blew into the studo of Jon Faine.
Read more »
'Very nice': Yes, Scott Morrison just did a Borat impression during Question TimePrime Minister Scott Morrison has done a Borat impression in Parliament while attacking Labor's climate change policy.
Read more »
Welcome to Victoria, PM: Jon Faine goes the budget biffWelcome to Victoria, Scott Morrison: ABC's radio Jon Faine goes the budget biff | tonyowright
Read more »
Scott Morrison chokes back tears announcing royal commission into disability abuseBREAKING: PM ScottMorrisonMP says he wants the royal commission to make sure disabled Australians can be 'all that they can be' and experience the richness of life in Australia
Read more »
Scott Morrison chokes back tears announcing royal commission into disability abuseThe Prime Minister became emotional when he dedicated the royal commission to disabled Australians including his brother-in-law.
Read more »
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Sharrouf children can return home to AustraliaThe Prime Minister said the orphaned children of Australia's most infamous terrorist can return, but he will not risk Australian lives to rescue them.
Read more »
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Sharrouf children can return home to AustraliaThe Prime Minister said the orphaned children of Australia's most infamous terrorist can return, but he will not risk Australian lives to rescue them.
Read more »
Scott Morrison, Bill Shorten set the scene for a federal electionPrime Minister Scott Morrison has made what could be a pitch to voters on the eve of an election announcement, defending his government's record on health, schools and tax.
Read more »