Death of Port Augusta woman highlights gaps in disability safeguards

We are deeply saddened by the death of Port Augusta resident Tegan Fredericks on Monday. We offer our condolences to those who knew and loved Tegan, as well as the broader Port Augusta community. We also stand alongside South Australia's disability communities as they seek to process this devastating news and grapple with the many questions and fears that Tegan's death raises. 

While only a full investigation can establish all the facts about what occurred, Tegan's death demonstrates the significant gaps that continue to exist in how South Australians with disability are supported and safeguarded in our communities. These gaps are well known, having been highlighted by the various investigations into the tragic death of Ann-Marie Smith in 2020 and throughout the four-year Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability (DRC). 

Federal and State Governments must act on the DRC's recommendations with much greater urgency, decisiveness, and investment, ensuring that all people with disability can access safe, high-quality supports and services to meet their needs regardless of where they live. These must not only be available, but accessible without unnecessary barriers. 

The South Australian Government should invest sufficient resources into safeguarding mechanisms, including urgently providing funding for state-wide independent individual, representative, and systemic disability advocacy services as every other state already does. 

Without impeding the police investigation, we also believe an independent inquiry should be established immediately to review all interactions Tegan, her family, and others involved in her care had with Federal and State agencies and services.  

No one should suffer neglect or live in unsafe conditions. Every person deserves a safe living environment, access to essential services and appropriate supports, and to be active and valued members of their communities. 

Anyone with information about Tegan's care should contact South Australian Police.

If you are aware of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or any other mistreatment of an adult with disability in South Australia, you should contact the Adult Safeguarding Unit on 1800 372 310 or adultsafeguardingunit@sa.gov.au. For matters relating to NDIS participants, you can also contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544.

If you or someone you know needs support during this difficult time, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Further information and interviews

Marissa Brown
Leader, Marketing and Communications
Julia Farr group (including JFA Purple Orange, inhousing, Stretchy Tech and JFM Fund)
Tel: (08) 8373 8388
Email: media@juliafarr.org.au