- New Queensland Disability Reform Framework released to advance disability reform and implement Disability Royal Commission response and NDIS Review recommendations
- The disability sector will co-design the implementation of reforms
- Focus will be on achieving greater inclusion and participation, high quality and safe services and supports, and better outcomes for people with disability
The Miles Labor Government has set out its disability reform agenda, including its response to the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission.
The new Queensland Disability Reform Framework – The Next Chapter was developed in consultation with the disability sector.
It builds on the changes in the provision of disability services in the past decade.
Initial priority actions have been identified and will provide a foundation for longer-term reform.
The Queensland Government will continue to work closely with the disability community to co-design the implementation of reforms.
Reforms have been backed by an initial investment of more than $160 million in the State Budget.
This includes funding for the disability sector to engage stakeholders to co-design the implementation of reforms in the new framework.
Of the 222 Disability Royal Commission recommendations, 130 are relevant to Queensland and the State has accepted 104 recommendations, either in-principle, in part or in full.
Key reforms outlined in the Queensland Government's response to the Royal Commission include:
- working with other jurisdictions to improve disability inclusion in complaints processes
- providing real parental choice for parents by ensuring schools across all settings are equipped to provide high quality education for students with disability
- expanding the housing reform agenda by delivering housing and homelessness supports; increasing availability of more inclusive and alternative models of housing; and working to ensure people with disability have choice and control over their living arrangements
- improving public sector employment outcomes, including through workplace adjustments and adopting inclusive procurement policies
- working with the Australian Government and other states and territories to establish a shared decision-making mechanism to achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability.
The framework also reflects the Queensland Government's initial response to the Independent Review of the NDIS (NDIS Review).
Immediate priorities include designing foundational supports outside the NDIS and advocating on behalf of Queensland's disability sector to ensure they receive a fair deal in relation to proposed NDIS reforms.
Queensland will continue to work with the Australian, state and territory governments to prepare a joint response to the NDIS Review by the end of 2024.
Future actions under the framework will be designed and implemented in partnership with the disability community through a staged approach, alongside measures in Australia's Disability Strategy 2021–2031 and Queensland's Disability Plan 2022–27: Together, a better Queensland.
As stated by Minister for Disability Services Charis Mullen:
"I am truly grateful to the many Queenslanders with disability who courageously shared their stories with the Royal Commission.
"Their stories were often harrowing, but their insights have put us on a path to achieve better outcomes for the more than 900,000 Queenslanders with disability.
"We have taken the time to thoroughly consider the Royal Commission recommendations, many of which overlap with proposed changes to the NDIS.
"As we move to co-design and implement reforms, we will always keep the voices of people with disability and the disability sector at the centre of decisions.
"Together, we will be focused on better outcomes, enhanced quality of life, greater inclusion and accessibility, and strengthened protections.
"This is an opportunity for positive change to ensure the rights of people with disability are respected, promoted and fulfilled into the future."
As stated by Queenslanders with Disability Network CEO Michelle Moss:
"It has been over five years since the disability community began sharing their stories, experiences and systemic policy submissions to the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.
"The DRC and the Final Report have been difficult but significant times for people with disability and our community.
"Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) welcomes the Queensland Government's response to the Disability Royal Commission and the establishment of the Disability Reform Framework.
"Working in partnership with people with disability is at the core of these reforms and a co-ordinated, integrated approach that responds to both DRC and NDIS is welcomed.
"QDN looks forward to progressing this important work through collaboration and co-design with people with disability in the implementation of these significant changes.
"It is critical that people with disability can live lives that are free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and the outcomes of these reforms deliver real change not only across systems and services but our broader communities."
As stated by Queensland Disability Advisory Council chair Sharon Boyce:
"As the Chair of the Queensland Disability Advisory Council, I was really pleased that the Miles Labor Government has set out its disability reform agenda, including its response to the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission.
"I can also genuinely say that there was true collaboration and consultation with the disability community to develop the new Queensland Disability Reform Framework – The Next Chapter. This framework will help us create a better future for people with disability in Queensland.
"I'm really delighted to see the Queensland Government sees co-design with the disability sector as central to the design and implementation of the disability reforms.
"It is incredibly important to note this government response to the Disability Royal Commission reflects and values the efforts of the many people from the disability community who have bravely shared their personal stories and relived many horrific events from their pasts in order to shape and make real change for the future for people with disability and to create a better more inclusive society in Queensland.
"As an educator and someone who passionately believes in inclusive education, I was pleased to note that one of the key reforms is focused on increasing participation in state schools and ensuring schools are equipped to provide high quality education for students with disability."
