Tasmania’s Legislative Council has passed a Bill that will play a critical role in creating a safer and more inclusive Tasmania for persons with disabilities.
The Bill will now be introduced into the House of Assembly and debated in the coming weeks.
Minister for Disability Services, Jo Palmer, said the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Bill 2024 is designed to advance and safeguard the rights and full inclusion of all Tasmanians with disability.
“This Bill is an important step forward in delivering what the Tasmanian disability community has asked for and would not have been made possible without their input,” Minister Palmer said.
“I thank everyone who contributed to the development of this significant piece of legislation.
“The Bill creates the position of a Tasmanian Disability Commissioner to promote inclusion and improve quality and safeguarding protections which complement existing investigative and safeguarding roles.
“It also establishes a mechanism for the formal inclusion of people with disability in leadership through the creation of a Disability Inclusion Advisory Council.”
The Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Bill 2024 promotes 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).
Many measures align with the recommendations handed down by the Disability Royal Commission.
Our Government’s commitment to delivering change for Tasmanians living with disability is further strengthened through the Bill by 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.
Under the new legislation, the role of the Office of the Senior Practitioner is elevated 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.
The Bill makes provision for a Community Visitor Scheme to be established in the future in response to a recommendation from the Disability Royal Commission.
An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is to help develop stronger communities for all Tasmanians.
