The Tasmanian Government has appointed Catherine Whitington as the state’s inaugural disability commissioner.
Describing the appointment as “an exciting milestone” for the Tasmanian disability community, Jo Palmer, Minister for Disability Services, said: “I am thrilled to have someone of Ms Whitington’s calibre relocating to Tasmania to take on this significant role for the state.”
Whitington brings a wealth of experience to the role from across government and nonprofit sectors, including as deputy commissioner at the Office of the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner, and as an advocate in the Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People in South Australia.
“Perhaps most importantly, Ms Whitington brings lived experience to the role, as a person with disability and will apply both her professional and personal experiences to this critical role,” said Palmer.
The role of the commissioner – a key priority under Tasmania’s Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act 2024 – will have a broad range of duties, including to:
- provide leadership, foster inclusion, and promote accessibility across government and universal services
- establish and monitor safeguarding mechanisms that address violence against, and the abuse, neglect and exploitation of, people with disability
- take action, where appropriate, in relation to allegations of violence against, or the abuse, neglect and exploitation of, people with disability.
Posting on social media, National Disability Services – Australia’s peak body representing non-government disability services – said it was “thrilled to hear that Ms Catherine Whittington has been announced as the inaugural disability commissioner for Tasmania.”
Whitington will commence her five-year term as disability commissioner on 12 May.
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