Media releases

Federal Budget summary 2022  The Federal government released their first budget on Tuesday 25th October. This summary provides a high level overview of the key announcements for members. Disability and Housing had significant focus in the budget, however there is little immediate relief to reduce the cost of living for people on Disability Support Pensions, and people in the rental market. NDIS and Disability  Increased funding to the NDIA by $380 million in 2023-24, which includes funding of ... Read More

Taxi Subsidy Scheme and Lift Payment The Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) subsidises taxi travel—half of the total fare, up to a maximum of $30 per trip—for people with severe disabilities. TSS pays half the value of a member’s taxi fare, up to a maximum fare of $60. There is no limit on the number of taxi journeys a member may take to attract the subsidy. The subsidy is paid to taxi drivers—members have no additional costs. TSS membership lasts for a maximum of 5 years. To extend your ... Read More

  Disability Sector Calls for Pre-Election Commitments to Improve Disability Emergency and Disaster Support   Thursday 31 March 2022: A coalition of 40 leading disability rights, advocacy and peak body organisations has endorsed a pre-election open letter to politicians across the country demanding a new approach and more resources for improving disaster and emergency responses for people with disability. In the wake of two years of rolling calamities, the letter outlines a series of ... Read More

  Patron of Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM QDN is proud to announce, in the year that we celebrate our 20th year anniversary, the Governor of Queensland as our Patron.  In her role as Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM will support our work and be a champion for people with disability across our state.   Dr Jeannette Young and her husband, Professor Graeme Nimmo ... Read More

OPEN LETTER – Commonwealth and State Governments called on for immediate actions required to prioritise COVID-19 safety measures for Queenslanders with disability QDN and Health Consumers Queensland have forwarded a letter to Commonwealth and State disability and health ministers from both organisations, along with allies from across the disability and health sectors, seeking vital supplies, services and supports in the current Omicron environment. If you or your organisation would like ... Read More

  Media Release: Targeted Outreach Project rolls out in Brisbane and Gold Coast   Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) a state-wide organisation of, by, and for people with diverse disability are proud to announce that the ‘Targeted Outreach Project’ has been rolled out today, 8 November 2021, by the Honourable Craig Crawford MP, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services across the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions. The aim of the project is to identify and engage more people with ... Read More

  Media Release: Disability inclusive and disaster resilient Queensland Communities: Toolkit and Resource Showcase On Tuesday 12 October 2021, the Honourable Leanne Enoch Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts and Honourable Craig Crawford MP, Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships in partnership with Queenslanders with Disability Network, University of Sydney, ... Read More

Media Release: COVID-19 vaccinations for people with disability Media Release: COVID-19 vaccinations for people with disability Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) is calling on the Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments to work together to urgently implement the national vaccination plan and strategy to ensure we do not continue to leave people with disability behind in the COVID vaccine rollout. QDN Board of Directors Chair, Mr Des Ryan said “We were originally identified in the ... Read More

Media Release: Queenslanders with Disability Network launches new website Today, the Hon. Craig Crawford MP, Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships launched QDN’s new website at Parliament House. At the launch Minister Crawford said “I am pleased to launch QDN’s new website today. It’s really important that Queenslanders with disability can access to timely, accessible information and resources around a broad range of areas ... Read More

Media Release: Targeted Outreach Project rolls out in new regions today The Targeted Outreach Project, which supports people with disability into the NDIS, rolls out in South-east Queensland from today, 6 September 2021.  Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford MP announced the launch of the initiative into Ipswich, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Logan, and Redlands. This work will identify and engage more people ... Read More

MEDIA RELEASE: We all want a sustainable and viable NDIS but mandatory independent assessments are not the way Queenslanders with disability, their families, supporters and service providers are clear that a sustainable and viable NDIS is important to everyone, but do not support that the proposed NDIS reforms or compulsory independent assessments are the way of achieving this. The NDIS is changing the lives of Queenslanders with disability and the broader community, including 45,000 ... Read More

Joint Media Release: It’s time for Queensland renters to be given a fair go Today the Minister for Housing, Leeanne Enoch introduced proposed legislation that would see tenants at the whim of the well-funded real estate lobby. The Make Renting Fair Queensland campaign, supported by over 50 community organisations, have come out today outlining their disappointment with the mixed bag of changes, after two and a half years of waiting, the government’s new proposed legislation. ... Read More

Media Release: Queensland’s message on NDIS Reforms are clear – one size doesn’t fit all so pause, reset and co-design Yesterday, Queenslanders with disability, their families, supporters and service providers came together to speak out about a number of proposed reforms to the ... Read More

Media Release: 99.5% of Queenslanders with disability still waiting for their priority 1a vaccinations Queenslanders with disability and their workers were identified as a priority group to get the COVID-19 vaccine in the Australian rollout, however less than 1% of people with disability in this priority group have received the vaccine. Nationally this total is less that 4%. People with disability, families, and service providers have been significantly impacted throughout the COVID-19 ... Read More

Media Release: Housing crisis by design More than three quarters of Australians with mobility issues cannot find housing that meets their needs – and it’s a growing problem as our population ages, especially in regional and remote locations. Rockhampton local, Des Ryan has first-hand experience of housing accessibility challenges. “The only way I was able to secure housing that was affordable and met my disability needs was to build it from scratch” Des said. ... Read More