Royal commission voices to be offered a gentler ear

A bill introduced to parliament on Thursday expands the ability of royal commissions to hold private sessions.

These sittings would allow individuals to voluntarily tell an assistant commissioner about their experiences in a trauma-informed and less formal environment than a traditional hearing.

Anyone who appears at a private session would not be considered a witness, nor would the information they give be considered evidence because it is not divulged under oath, but they would be afforded similar protections to hearing witnesses.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says the legislation will "enable a royal commission to hold more private sessions over the duration of its inquiry".

"(This would) therefore allow more people to engage with the royal commission and have their experience heard," he said.

Private sessions were first used in the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse, and received more than 8000 stories from survivors.

They have also been used in the disability royal commission and the defence and veteran suicide inquiry.

But under the current Royal Commissions Act, only a sole commissioner, the chair of a multi-member royal commission or another commissioner authorised by a chair can conduct these sessions.

The proposed reforms would provide greater flexibility by allowing a senior staff member designated as an "assistant commissioner" to hold private sessions.

CEO of Disability Advocacy Network Australia Jeff Smith praised the idea of private sessions.

"(They are) less stressful - insofar as it is more informal and less alienating for people - and may make people feel and be safer," he told AAP.

"Private sessions are a more flexible, trauma-informed way for people to get access to and (offer) stories and information before royal commissions."

Australian Associated Press