Queenslanders with disability will continue to have a strong voice with the appointment of fourteen members to the Queensland Disability Advisory Council (QDAC) for a three-year term to June 2025.
Disability Services Minister Craig Crawford welcomed the new council which provides independent advice on regional, state and national disability related matters.
In welcoming the new members, Mr Crawford also acknowledged the work of the previous Council, particularly for their role during Queensland's transition to the National Disability Insurance scheme and the Covid-19 pandemic.
"QDAC members play a vital role to help promote social inclusion in Queensland,'' he said.
"They also provide expert advice on matters that shape the state's disability policy.
"It is important the Palaszczuk Government has experienced representatives of the community with lived experience to provide independent advice.
Mr Crawford said by working collaboratively with QDAC, the disability sector, people with disability, their families, and carers, the sector would continue to have a say on a range of disability policies, actions and issues to shape change for the broader community.
"In order to drive change in policies and programs, we need to champion opportunities for Queenslanders with disability in leadership roles," he said.
"A big part of this is ensuring we have people with lived experience at the table, providing expert advice to shape the work that we do."
Dr Sharon Boyce, Chair, QDAC was excited to chair the Advisory Council for next three years.
"It's important we continue the great work already achieved by the previous advisory council, to represent the diverse interests of Queensland's disability community and the disability sector," she said.
"The Advisory Council will provide specialist advice to government on a wide range of disability initiatives and issues, including new national and state disability strategies and the National Disability Insurance Scheme."
The Advisory Council members are:
Dr Sharon Boyce (Chair)
Dr Reza Borzou
Ms Laura Rutherford
Ms Laura Scurr
Ms Pamela Spelling
Mr Peter Tully
Uncle Paul Calcott
Ms Rachael Watson AOM
Mr Nigel Webb
Mr Peter Gurr
Ms Paige Armstrong
Ms Matilda Alexander
Mr Darryl Steff
Ms Pamela Macrossan
