Make your voice count at the upcoming Disability Reform Forum
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), in partnership with Queensland Government, invites you to a Disability Reform Community Forum in Queensland.
You are invited to attend the forum if you are:
- a person with disability
- a family member or carer
- a service provider
- work or volunteer at a community organisation
- an advocate for people with disability.
What’s happening at the forum?
Hear what people have said in earlier forums and how it is informing reform work.
Share what is important to you and your community in shaping targeted foundational supports for children under 9 in Queensland.
Why attend?
The forum is a chance for you to:
- make your voice count – help shape outcomes that will work in your region
- connect with community – meet others working toward change in the disability sector
- ask questions and hear from the team.
Forums are being held between 19 May and 13 June 2025 in locations around Queensland, as well as online.
To find a forum near you, click the following link: https://qdn.org.au/community-forums/
Final report from disability reform community reforms released
We are pleased to share with you the final report and presentation slides from the forums. The report includes themes that emerged from our discussions and the data collected during the activities around reform priorities and timeframes. These documents can be accessed here: https://qdn.org.au/qld-disability-reforms/
Bright Sparks workshop
QDN is running 48 Bright Sparks workshops across Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Toowoomba, Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay. The workshops focus on practical ways to reduce electricity bills without compromising health and wellbeing. These workshops are open to people with disability and will be delivered both in-person and online. An additional 12 workshops will be delivered by Multicultural Australia. The Bight Sparks project is funded by the Department of Energy and Climate.
If you would like to attend a Bright Sparks workshop, follow the link below to find one near you.
https://qdn.org.au/our-work/bright-sparks-2024-25/
The Centre’s 2025 conference – registrations open
QDN is a proud member of the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability (The Centre). The Centre's 2025 conference on 3-4 of July is now open for registration. The conference theme is ‘Working together every step of the way’ and will explore ways to rethink healthcare for people with intellectual disability.
Find out more and register: https://nceidh.org.au/conference-2025
QDN attendance at Homelessness Ministerial Advisory Council (HMAC)
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) CEO, Michelle Moss, attended Queensland’s first-ever Homelessness Ministerial Advisory Council (HMAC) meeting last week.
Minister O’Connor has bought together frontline service providers, organisations from across our housing system and all the key parts of government with the focus on delivering better response to the housing crisis. Queenslanders with disability need accessible, affordable, safe housing that means they have a place to call home. HMAC is co-chaired by Assistant Minister Rebecca Young.
Minister O’Connor is setting up two working groups
- One with representatives from South East Queensland councils to drive a more coordinated response
- Another to focus on how supportive housing model can be scaled up as part of the Government’s commitment to deliver 53,500 social homes and improve integration with health and other services
“Housing is a fundamental need and human right and key to enabling people with disability to be included in community and family life, and to participate fully as citizens within Australian society. It is critical that we can look at all parts of the housing system to deliver accessible, affordable, safe housing for people with disability. The current environment offers a unique opportunity for government, industry, business and the community sector to show strong leadership and work collaboratively with people with disability and their families to drive reforms and ensure people with disability have a place to call home.”
QDN attended the second Procurement Ministerial Advisory Council (PMAC)
Michelle Moss, QDN CEO, attended the second Procurement Ministerial Advisory Council (PMAC), as a representative for Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN). The Council is made up of industry leaders and key representatives from across Queensland.
The Queensland Government is looking at the way government procures to drive better value for taxpayers’ money, create more opportunities for small and family businesses, and to be open to new ways of doing things.
“Since the Games have been announced, QDN has been advocating for the importance of procurement for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to have clear focus on employment of people with disability and how we procure services and products that can deliver long lasting change. The Game Changers Report gives actions to drive this.
Social and economic benefits of procurement is also a critical as part of Queensland’s every day procurement and it is important that Queensland’s buying power can deliver improved economic and social benefits for Queenslanders with disability.” Michelle Moss CEO QDN.
Policy Submissions
QDN members are encouraged to reach out to the policy team to be involved in our submission writing. Email qdn@qdn.org.au or call 1300 363 783 to have a conversation with the policy team.
Submissions the policy team is working on:
- Inquiry into E-scooter and E-bike safety (QDN forum to be held on Tuesday 3 June 3pm-4pm).
- Submission on the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
- Domestic and Family Violence Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (Please contact the policy team if you would like to provide feedback on this submission).
Submissions the policy team has completed since the last e-news:
- Inquiry into Elder Abuse
- Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 2025
NDIS updates
Changes to NDIS funding periods
From 19 May 2025, the NDIA will start changing how participants receive their funding to make budgeting easier. Funds will be available in smaller amounts - usually every three months. This will apply when participants receive a new or updated plan. You can learn more here: Changes to NDIS funding periods | NDIS
NDIS Participant First Group
NDIS are seeking NDIS Participants, families and carers to be part of the Participant First Group to help improve the NDIS and make it stronger. You can fill out the form Participant First Info Form or learn more about the group and engagement activities here: Participant First: Help improve the NDIS | NDIS
NDIS Quarterly Report
NDIS have released their quarterly report from January to March 2025. Learn more here: Quarterly Reports | NDIS
NDIS events
Understanding the NDIS webinar series-Assistive Technology: Thursday 29 May from 1pm –2pm. RSVP by 28 May Understanding the NDIS Webinar Series: Assistive Technology | NDIS
Understanding the NDIS webinar series-Community Connections: Tuesday 10 June from 10am –11am. RSVP by 9 June Understanding the NDIS Webinar Series: Community Connections | NDIS
