Commencement of the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act 2024 (04 Jul 2025)

Hello everyone,

It is with great pride that I announce the commencement of the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act 2024 on 1 July 2025.

This is a historic piece of legislation that promotes the human rights of people with disability and implements processes and procedures to protect those rights.

It drives change so that people with disability are equal participants in the economic, social and political life of Tasmania. Above all else, it is designed to create a society where people with disability can live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and have the same right of access to services as all Tasmanians.

It includes principles that align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disability, with a strong focus on promoting inclusion of people with disability through inclusion planning, which all Tasmanian Government agencies and Government Business Enterprises are required to complete.

The newly appointed Tasmanian Disability Commissioner, Catherine Whitington, and Senior Practitioner, Marita O’Connell, and their respective offices will safeguard the rights of people with disability using the powers and functions appointed to them under the Act.

The Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act is a momentous step towards building a system that supports people with disability and developing a more inclusive and accessible society. I wish to acknowledge and thank all people with disability, their supporters and members of the wider community who have shared their stories, consulted with us and provided feedback which has enabled us to develop and implement this legislation.

You can find out more information about the Act, including fact sheets and an easy read version on the DPAC website.

I encourage you all to consider how your work in the Tasmanian State Service includes and is accessible to all in Tasmania.

Kind regards,

Kathrine Morgan-Wicks
Head of the State Service
Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet
04 Jul 2025