CANBERRA, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday a landmark inquiry into the abuse of Australians living with a disability.

Morrison on Friday held back tears while announcing the establishment of the 527 million Australian dollar (374.6 million U.S. dollar) Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

Ronald Sackville, a former Federal Court judge, was appointed Chair of the Royal Commission and given three years to deliver his final report, with an interim report due by October 2020.

"People living with disability have faced the most difficult of circumstances because of their own condition," Morrison said.

"We have to establish a culture of respect for people living with disabilities and the families who support, love and care for them.

"Violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability is unacceptable and abhorrent and it's critically important to make this truly a national inquiry," he added.