Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister for Disability Services regarding the analysis and actions taken in response to the Australian Human Rights Commission report on disability and evidence laws. The Minister outlines actions taken and expresses satisfaction with current initiatives.

AnsweredQoN 453Legislative Council
Asked
6 May 2014
Portfolio
Disability Services

QuestionView source ↗

AUSTRALIAN
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REPORT — DISABILITY — EVIDENCE LAWS
453. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
Minister for Disability Services:
I refer to the minister's answer to question without
notice 87 on 25 February 2014 in which she agreed that Western Australia needs
to take steps to remove the injustices faced by people with disabilities who do
not enjoy equality before the law.
(1) Has the
minister finished analysing the implications of the recent report by the
Australian Human Rights Commission on this issue?
(2) Has the
minister sought further advice about what actions she will recommend?
(3) If so,
what actions is she taking; and, if not, why not, and when can we expect her
response?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) Yes.
(3) I asked
representatives from the Disability Services Commission to meet with the
Department of the Attorney General to discuss the recommendations in the
report. They have done this and also met with the Disability Discrimination
Commissioner, Graeme Innes, in March to discuss the report and current WA
initiatives. The Disability Services Commission, in developing the disability
justice centres, is considering the human rights of the future residents. The
disability justice centres will be socially responsible alternatives to prison
for people with intellectual or cognitive disability who have been found unfit
to stand trial and are given a custody order.
The Disability Services Commission
has reported to me a number of current initiatives in partnership with justice
agencies, including the intellectual disability diversion program, disability
awareness training for prison officers and Legal Aid WA lawyers, and developing
a memorandum of understanding with WA Police. I am satisfied with these current
actions that are being undertaken.

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