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The government has unveiled its much-anticipated reforms to strengthen privacy safeguards for witnesses at the disability royal commission, almost 18 months after the inquiry commenced.
Advocates have been calling for the changes to the Royal Commission Act for more than a year, warning that a loophole that allows the identity of witnesses to be released after the conclusion of the commission will stop potential whistleblowers from coming forward.
Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General, Amanda Stoker, introduced the Royal Commissions Amendment (Protection of Information) Bill in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon.
If passed, the amendments will allow certain witnesses who disclose instances of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation to have their identity sealed indefinitely.