Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the State Government will appoint an Ageing and Disability Commissioner to investigate and stop abuse of elderly and disabled people in home and community settings from 1 July 2019.
Currently reports of abuse are made through the Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit and the NSW Ombudsman’s Standing Inquiry.
But the new Commissioner will be given expanded powers to initiate investigations, follow up complaints, apply for search warrants and seize evidence.
Police Elder Abuse Officers will also be trained and deployed to each command across the state to undertake investigations and report findings back to the Commissioner.
The appointment comes two months after the Coalition announced the national Royal Commission into Aged Care.
Queensland is also conducting its own 12-month parliamentary review of the sector.
Will the other states now follow suit?
