Mr. Damien Walshe:

It is again about a move away from some level of tokenistic box-ticking. Many of the Deputies and Senators asked if the consultation has been meaningful and whether disabled people, through their DPOs, felt their voices have been heard. This is not to be critical, we are building up strong relationships with many statuary bodies that recognise that commitment under the CRPD, which is welcome.

This is an area where we have seen less progress and engagement and where it would be useful for the leadership shown by Senators and Deputies within this committee to accelerate a conversation around how disabled people's voices are heard, especially with respect to the issues we have mentioned specifically related to sustainability, the sustainable development goals and climate justice. Unfortunately, the Senator is right to say disabled people have been left behind and many of the measures happening now will leave them further behind. That is the kind of thing we would like to see moving from rhetoric to actions.