On 8 April 2020, the Senate resolved to establish a Select Committee on COVID-19 to inquire into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Select Committee on COVID-19 will review and respond to submissions from individuals and organisations all over Australia and provide a full report of their findings on or before 30 June 2022.
WWDA have now made their submission to the Select Committee, which details the Australian Governments delay and lack of specific and targeted measures to protect and respond to critical issues for people with disability.
The submission also refers to the documents and letters collaboratively written by WWDA over the past 3 months, calling for immediate action on urgent issues facing people with disability.
While WWDA is pleased the government has made improvements to their response for people with disability, WWDA still remain concerned about:
- Violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect of people with disability, in particular women and girls with disability
- Increase in the use of restrictive practices, particularly in congregate settings
- Increased poverty.
A highlight from the submission is an extract from Disability-Inclusive response to COVID-19 – Towards a better future for all which reads:
“…A disability-inclusive COVID-19 response and recovery will better serve everyone and prevent the gains made in the inclusion and rights of persons with disabilities from being lost. It will provide persons with disabilities with accessible and agile systems capable of responding to the pandemic. As every crisis can also become an opportunity, let us pave the way for a better future for all, where no one is left behind.”
Source: Disability-Inclusive response to COVID-19 – Towards a better future for all
You can read WWDA’s full submission below:
WWDA’s submission to the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 [PDF]
WWDA’s submission to the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 [DOC]