The Australian Guardianship and Administration Council (AGAC) is the national peak body for Australia’s Public Advocates, Public Guardians, Public or State Trustees and the heads of State and Territory adult guardianship tribunal lists. The theme for this year’s conference was Renewal: Putting rights into practice.
Many professionals and experts across the country gathered in Melbourne for a rich program that featured presentations on various topics that informed us, and made us think about, the ways that the rights of people with cognitive disability are being implemented, and the work that still needs to be done in this space.
Keynote speakers and panellists consisted of professionals and experts, as well as people with lived experience of disability. Topics that were explored included financial elder abuse, people with acquired brain injuries and the criminal justice system, restrictive practices in aged care, supported decision making, human rights, the performance of the NDIS with hard-to-reach groups, Indigenous perspectives to guardianship, and adult safeguarding.
In line with this year’s theme, the conference demonstrated a keen focus on human rights and supported decision making within guardianship that may be important for private and enduring guardians to consider. The Hon. Dr Kat Patterson AO shared in her conference opening speech that guardians should focus on rights when making decisions. She stated that guardians should be aware of their rights and responsibilities when they are appointed in an enduring position, as well as being aware of the rights of the person they represent.
Another important discussion at the conference related to Indigenous perspectives. The panel consisted of Adjunct Associate Professor Jennifer Cullen and Natasha Short. They described that substitute decision making should be led by First Nations people when the decision concerns a First Nations person. However, they advised that non-Indigenous people should still support and empower First Nations communities to make decisions for themselves. They both spoke to the importance of keeping Indigenous culture and language at the forefront of decision making, supported or substitute, for First Nations people.
The conference emphasised the stories of people with lived experience of disability and highlighted the importance of lived experience in creating change and challenging assumptions. Speakers also illustrated the benefit of meaningful and genuine engagement, to consider cultural significance, ensure more than one approach is explored to build the capacity of people we represent in making decisions and the need to commit to the rights of the person.
To read more about the Australian Guardianship and Administration Council, visit their website.