Applications are now open for Tasmania’s first Disability Commissioner.
An independent statutory appointment, the Disability Commissioner is a key component of the Tasmanian Government’s Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act 2024, which passed Parliament last month.
Minister for Disability Services Jo Palmer said the new Commissioner will advance and safeguard the human rights of people with disability.
She said the decision to introduce the new role is in line with calls from the disability community.
“Our government worked alongside Tasmanians with disability for over two years as we developed the legislation, and we heard loud and clear from the disability community their desire to see the appointment of a Disability Commissioner,” Minister Palmer said.
“[They] will work to progress the full and effective inclusion of people with disability in the Tasmanian community, including investigating reports of violence against and abuse of people with disability and raising awareness in the community about matters in relation to the rights of people with disability.”
Applications close Sunday 8 December.
The Tasmanian Government appointed an interim Disability Commissioner, Mary Mallet, in January 2023.