QDN e-News Video September 2022 Week 3
Leave Nobody Behind - Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) Networking Lunch
Over 70 delegates from across the Asia-Pacific have been attending the 2022 Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. QDN and our partners met with delegates over lunch at the Brisbane Convention Centre to discuss, connect, partner, and share information on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR).
The networking event was organised by the University of Sydney - Centre for Disability Research and Policy (CDRP), CBM Australia and PWD Australia. The lunch was the first opportunity since COVID-19 for delegates within our region to discuss DIDRR and plan for the future. Many new partnerships were formed and the delegates who attended listened to a speech by Des Ryan QDN Chairperson about QDN’s great work in this area.
Queensland Government's Housing Round Table
QDN recently attended the Queensland Government's Housing Round Table, we believe all Queenslanders should have the right to accessible housing. No matter where you live in the state. We provided feedback and suggestions at the Housing Round Table, and will we continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure Queenslanders with disability have a roof over their head. Our feedback was well received, and the Premier commented that she will be looking into our ideas and visions. We will provide you with more information as it becomes known.
AGM
You will shortly be receiving communication from QDN about our upcoming AGM and voting instructions. It is important as a member led organisation that you review all the information provided by the nominees and make your mind up and vote for candidates that align with your vision and direction of QDN.
Congratulations
Congratulations to two QDN members who recently won awards at The Business Disability Awards of Australia. The awards ceremony recognised businesses and individuals across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs who support, educate, and employ people with a disability.
Well done Nadia Brady for winning the ‘Outstanding Volunteer Award’, that category recognises volunteers who have demonstrated a notable attitude or effort in a workspace.
Dr Sharon Boyce won the Judy Antonio Memorial Award. This award recognises a business, group or individual that epitomises the vales of social inclusion as so strongly espoused and lived by Judy. Sharon’s award was also endorsed by Mayor Paul Antonio. Click here to watch Sharon's acceptance speach.
QDN is extremely proud of Nadia and Sharon and these awards help recognise the commitment they both have played in connecting, leading, changing and influencing issues that affect people with disability. Well done!
Policy Update 5th September – 16th September 2022
Queensland Government to hold Housing Summit
This week the Queensland Government announced they will host a Housing Summit in October to address the urgent issues in relation to housing across Queensland. The process will begin with a roundtable of key government and non-government stakeholders this Friday the 16th September, where QDN will be in attendance.
You can read the media release here
Extending COVID-19 Measures until 31st December 2022
The Australian Government has extended a number of COVID-19 measures aimed at supporting those most disproportionately affected by COVID-19, This includes the extension of:
- access to the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) for PPE equipment and Rapid Antigen Tests where people cannot access through their usual channels including NDIS providers and self-managed NDIS participants.
- some temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth items for prescription of COVID-19 antivirals.
Self-managed NDIS participants and NDIS providers who are unable to source PPE or RATs through their normal channels can contact the NMS at NDISCOVIDPPE@health.gov.au. Antivirals are available through your GP if you have COVID-19 and can be accessed via a telehealth appointment.
Index increase to Aged Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer payments
The Australian Government has announced an increase to pension and allowance rates, to take effect from 20 September 2022 to help counteract high rates of inflation. These income support payments have been indexed by four per cent and will increase by $38.90 a fortnight for singles and $54.40 a fortnight for couples. The maximum rate of pension will increase to $936.80 a fortnight for singles and $706.20 for each member of a pensioner couple or $1412.40 per couple (not including the pension supplement).
The payments come into effect on 20 September 2022 and will automatically be updated.
Read more here
From Crisis to Resilience: Transforming the Asia-Pacific Region’s future through disaster risk reduction
Australia is partnering with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) to host the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19-22 September 2022.
This is the main regional platform in Asia-Pacific for promoting coordination and cooperation on Disaster Risk Reduction and the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. It brings together UN Member States, intergovernmental organisations, international and national organisations and stakeholder groups, to accelerate progress on disaster risk reduction.
Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.
Read more here
