Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has met with families, advocates and victims of disability abuse in Melbourne, making an emotional plea for a royal commission.
Mr Shorten heard stories of the violence and abuse suffered by people with disabilities at schools and institutions, including the tale of a Melbourne mother whose young autistic son was tied up with rope and put in an enclosed space.
He said a royal commission into such abuse was "tremendously overdue", calling on the government to vote for the "king of all inquiries" in a motion on Monday.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is calling for a Royal Commission into violence and abuse against people with disabilities. Source: AAP
"There is no more unexamined corner of the life of Australia than the abuse and violence experienced by people with disability," he said on Saturday.
Senator Jordon Steele-John's motion calling for the establishment of a royal commission.
Mr Shorten said "there is no more unexamined corner of the life of Australia than the abuse and violence experienced by people with a disability". Source: AAP
r, saying Scott Morrison did not consider the disabled as equals.
"That wasn’t just about an MP calling out another MP in a different chamber," he said.
"That was the surprise of a man who has never fully seen a disabled person as quite like himself, as somebody that he needs to listen to, and I think he needs to reflect on."
Labor and the Greens voiced support for a potential royal commission in 2017, after a Senate committee recommended its establishment.
Greens Senator Jordon Steel-John. Source: AAP
The government is not expected to oppose the senator's motion when parliament resumes next week.
