How can I be a witness at Public Hearing?

How can I be a witness at a Public Hearing?

You can let the Disability Royal Commission know you would like to share your story at a public hearing.  This means you ask to share your story in person to the Disability Royal Commission and others in a public hearing.

The Disability Royal Commission needs to invite you to be a witness. Not everyone who asks to be a witness will be invited by the Disability Royal Commission.

If you are invited to be a witness at a public hearing the Disability Royal Commission may ask questions about your story during the hearing.

Do I need legal support to engage with the Disability Royal Commission?

Not everyone will need legal support to share their story with the Disability Royal Commission. But if there is something you are worried about; our service can give you free, independent legal advice to support you protect your rights and share your story.

Some of the things Your Story Disability Legal Support can provide legal advice about include: 

  • using the name of an organisation or person in your story
  • how to keep your story private
  • what to do if you have a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement that stops you from sharing your story
  • what to do if you are concerned about payback if you share your story
  • what to do if you are worried about sharing your story because you or someone else will be unsafe, lose access to services or employment or your rights will be affected.

Our legal advice is provided by:

  • lawyers from Legal Aid Commissions
  • lawyers from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services. 

Speaking to a lawyer does not mean you are in trouble. Our service will not pass your information to the Disability Royal Commission unless you agree. We won’t tell anybody what you tell us, unless you want us to.

You can look at our factsheet about legal support to engage with the Disability Royal Commission for further information.

Call 1800 77 1800 Monday to Friday (free call) or use our contact form anytime