Stronger privacy protections to better protect witnesses of the disability royal commission have unanimously passed the Senate following long-held concerns over a lack of safeguards.
The Royal Commissions Amendment to the Protection of Information Bill passed on Wednesday with the support of the government as well as Labor and Greens senators, but did not require a formal vote.
The bill is aimed at boosting the trust of people with disability and potential whistleblowers to come forward to share evidence.
It will ensure information provided to the commission would remain in confidence after the inquiry ends, and guarantee stronger protections for those who expose institutional failures.