For immediate release
(Wednesday 20 May, 2026)
The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) heard about experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. After nearly five years of listening, research and deep consideration 222 recommendations were made spanning 12 Final Report volumes.
Now it has been two-and-a-half years since the DRC published its final report in 2023. Over this time, governments have repeatedly missed key deadlines and made very little progress in implementation.
In response, the Queensland Independent Disability Advocacy Network (QIDAN) initiated an independent analysis of the DRC recommendations from a Queensland perspective. This report was published today. Our analysis, evidenced by publicly available information, has discovered that, despite a $160 million investment on the DRC implementation:
- Over half of recommendations have no updates on their implementation; and
- Only 3% of recommendations have actually been implemented.
Our analysis report is just the beginning. The aim of our #TheDRCstillMatters campaign that launches today, is to develop a DRC tracker, an online tool everyone can use to independently track the implementation of DRC recommendations, to keep up to date with what governments have said and done, and to help hold governments to account on the work that is left to do.
Last week, the Federal Budget was announced, and QIDAN was greatly disappointed to find only two mentions of the DRC in the budget papers. Unfortunately, the Federal Budget’s announcement of a $4.2 million investment over two years to “support the disability community to engage in the [DRC and NDIS] reforms” does not come close to demonstrating a commitment to real change and further insults the thousands of Australians with disability who have been significantly impacted by the recent NDIS cuts.
The recent changes to the NDIS announced last week raise concerns such as the government having too much power and too little accountability, tests for NDIS access becoming harder, people’s entire circumstances being disregarded, and NDIA standards dropping. This is not what the DRC has envisioned for people with disability.
Consultations have happened. The DRC ended in 2023. Now is the time for action.
Governments must be accountable to the people who told their stories to the DRC.
Our #TheDRCstillMatters campaign honours these stories by raising community awareness of the recommendations, highlighting processes and gaps, and encouraging community and sector perspectives to strengthen the call for change – change that is led by people with disability.
To read the report and find more information on the campaign head to QIDAN’s campaign page, linked below.
Quotes attributable to Matilda Alexander, CEO, Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion:
- “With the announcement of devastating cuts to the NDIS, an increase in institutionalisation and rising cost of living pressures, the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission are only growing in importance. People with disability spent years campaigning for a Royal Commission, telling their stories and hoping for change. The Disability Royal Commission started seven years ago and we received its recommendations nearly 3 years ago. Our tracker will keep these recommendations on track.
- Now is the time for action to build stronger discrimination protections, to change our laws to keep disabled students in school and to end restrictive practices. We invested in listening and learning, now let’s make the changes that are needed so we can all live in inclusive communities where all people are equally valued and enjoy human rights.”
Quotes attributable to Dr John Chesterman, Public Advocate:
- “The Disability Royal Commission was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to explore in depth at a national level the often horrifying experiences that people with disability have had of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. In making its 222 reform recommendations, the Disability Royal Commission outlined its vision for a future where people with disability can live safe and meaningful lives of their own choosing. Significant work remains to be done by state, territory and national governments in meaningfully responding to, and where appropriate implementing, the Royal Commission’s recommendations.”
Quotes attributable to Martin Butcher, Manager, National Centre for Disability Advocacy:
- “Following the royal commission the DRC recommended 222 recommendations, of which very few have been implemented. The ongoing abuse, neglect and exploitation that occurs in group homes and other closed environments still continues. The recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission matter.”
Quote attributable to Raoul Wilson, CEO, Rights In Action:
- “One of the main recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission was to provide adequately service provision in regional and remote areas. Part of that is providing advocacy services to those particular regions, of which Rights In Action is and doing that independently.”
Quote attributable to Melissa Martins, Individual Advocate, Mackay Advocacy Incorporated:
- “Hundreds of people told their stories. We can’t have their voice go unheard once again. We need to implement the DRC.”
Quote attributable to Brittany Lauga, Advocate, Capricorn Citizen Advocacy:
- “The Disability Royal Commission still matters and it’s important to implement these recommendations because it makes a difference to the everyday lives of people with a disability in Australia. I work with people with a disability on a daily basis and they tell me how important the recommendations of the royal commission are to their daily lives.”
Quote attributable to David Boden, Social Justice Service Manager, TASC National:
- “All of our clients have participated in the DRC are still waiting for a response. Their courage needs to be respected by telling their stories, they need to find an answer. The DRC still matters.”
** Ends **
Media contact:
Matilda Alexander
CEO, Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion
matilda@qai.org.au
(07) 3844 4200
