A leading figure in the push for a disability royal commission believes high profile cases of neglect and abuse are just the tip of the iceberg.
Scott Morrison has indicated the federal government is open to establishing an inquiry into the disability sector.
Greens senator Jordon Steele-John, who uses a wheelchair and is a vocal advocate for disability rights, hopes to hear an announcement "pretty damn soon".
"It's systematic, it's absolutely endemic in our society, the scale of it is stunning," he told ABC radio on Friday when asked about the abuse of disabled people.
Senator Steele-John has sent the prime minister draft terms of reference for the commission, after consulting with those in the disability sector.
He wants the commission to investigate violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation experienced by Australians with disabilities in institutional and residential settings.
"That means in workplaces, in schools, in hostels," the senator said.
"Everywhere where we exist and are institutionalised or live and, as we have seen, are subject to abuse.
"This would leave no stone unturned and make sure that disabled people have justice."
A vote calling for a disability royal commission appears likely to succeed when federal parliament resumes next week.
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese expects the proposal to pass unanimously.
He said it was "extraordinary" the Morrison government had employed parliamentary tactics to prevent the motion coming up for debate on Thursday, only to indicate later on that they supported it.
The Senate voted again for a royal commission into the disability sector, and Labor wanted to bring on a lower house vote it may have won.
But the prime minister, who usually ends question time at the earliest opportunity, allowed it to run for 150 minutes in an effort to block the vote.
He said a royal commission should be called in the proper way, not through an unexpected vote in parliament.
"I'm not afraid of losing a vote in this house, I lost one on Tuesday," Mr Morrison told parliament.
"I will remain open to every single option there is to provide support to people with disabilities."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Labor decided two years ago to have a disability royal commission.
"Labor is committed to implementing a royal commission to protect people living with a disability from abuse," he told parliament.
Australian Associated Press
