Palaszczuk Government commits to continued funding for advocacy support – 23 March 2021
The Queensland Disability Advocacy Alliance welcomes the announcement last night (Tuesday 23 March 2021) by the Palaszczuk Government to deliver a funding commitment of base funding of $8.1M over the next two years to continue advocacy services in Queensland.
The announcement by Honourable Craig Crawford, Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships that the Government will extend its funding of disability advocacy services in Queensland for the next two years gives Queenslanders with disability and their families assurance that they will be able to continue to access these vital services after 30 June 2021.
The Stand with us! campaign has been led by people with disability, families, carers and supporters. Coming together to show Queensland disability advocacy does matter shows how important it is for people with disability to have a voice and that Government is listening to people with disability.
The Queensland Disability Advocacy Alliance welcomes the opportunity to have further discussion with the Government in regards to this funding, noting that it is different to the prior commitment of $9.2M over the past two financial years. We also look forward to further information around the criteria and process for allocating the funding in a timely way to deliver continuity of services.
Queenslanders with disability and their families appreciate the commitment of funding for the next two years, however, advocacy is a ongoing and fundamental need. Going forward, people with disability need certainty of ongoing support and commitment beyond these two year timeframes.
The Queensland Disability Advocacy Alliance looks forward to working with State and Commonwealth Governments to deliver continuity and certainty of services beyond 30 June 2023 for Queenslanders with disability and their families.
Independent individual, citizen and systemic advocacy plays a vital role in supporting the over 900,000 Queenslanders with disability to have their rights and well-being protected, as well as supporting their full inclusion in all aspects of community life – ensuring equal access to the services delivered by government mainstream, community and private organisations.
Read Honourable Craig Crawford’s full media release here.