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    1300 363 783
    1300 363 783

    QDN Policy E-News Wednesday 17 June 2026

    Have Your Say

    Dark blue background with a white speech bubble and then the text in pink saying Have your say

    Consultation for Assessing Fitness to Drive Standards   

    Consultation is now open for the review of the 2022 Edition of the Assessing Fitness to Drive Standards. This consultation aims to create a nationally consistent basis for assessing and managing fitness to drive for people with medical conditions or functional limitations. It will also provide an opportunity to give feedback on issues, opportunities for improvement and evidence to support possible changes.  The National Transport Commission is seeking feedback from diverse stakeholders including people with medical conditions and disabilities, safety experts, and industry representatives.  

    To learn more or make a submission, follow the link below to the National Transport Commission website:
    Assessing Fitness to Drive Review | National Transport Commission

    Submissions close 17 July 2026.  

    Evaluation of the NDRP Survey

    The National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP) is conducting an independent survey to gain feedback on:  

    • The progress they have made so far. 
    • How they are meeting the needs of our stakeholders.  
    • Early impacts that their work is having.
    • Opportunities for improvement into the future. 

    To participate in the survey, follow the link below:
    Evaluation of the NDRP – Survey

    Take Part in New Way of Planning Testing

    The NDIS is looking for people to take part in different testing of the initiatives announced by the Federal Government to test different planning and assessment tools.   

    Currently there are two opportunities: 

    • Testing Supports Needs Assessments – Expressions of Interest close 3 June 2026 
    • New Framework Planning pool – Expressions of Interest close 30 June 2026.  

    If you are interested in becoming involved, please follow the link below:
    Help test the new way of planning | NDIS Engage

    Private Lives 4 National Survey

    Private Lives 4 is the largest national survey about the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and asexual (LGBTIQA+) adults. The survey is being conducted by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University and was designed to help health professionals, service providers, community organisations and governments to better understand and support the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people in Australia. This year, La Trobe University is looking to increase the number of responses from people with disability.  

    You are encouraged to participate in the survey I you are:  

    • Aged 18 or over.  
    • Currently living in Australia 
    • Are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, asexual, or use other words to describe diverse sexuality or gender identities; and/or were born with an innate variation of sex characteristics (some people call this intersex). 

    To learn more and take the survey, follow the link below: 
    Private Lives 4, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, Our work, LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing, La Trobe University

    QDN News/ Events 

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    Online QDN Policy Position Statement Forum – Employment 

    QDN is working this year to update our policy positions. The first area that we are going to look at is Employment. This is an online event on 30 June 2026 from 1pm to 3pm and will be followed up by additional online events across other portfolio areas.   

    The policy position statements will provide a short document that members can use in their engagement with key stakeholders to inform, connect, lead and influence change and will inform QDN’s broader systemic advocacy. The Employment Position Statement will appear on QDN’s website and will be a public document.  

    Register for the forum by following the link below:
    QDN Policy Position Statement Forum – Employment

    Policy Updates

    Policy Update, there is a image of a tick in a box with an arrow coming out the side of the box and circling around back to point at the box.

    NDIS

    QDN at Hearing for NDIS Amendment Bill 

    On Wednesday 10 June 2026, QDN’s CEO Michelle Moss spoke at the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 hearing.  

    Michelle spoke about the key points of QDN’s submission including: 

    • Amending the Bill to ensure safeguards for people with disability.
    • Retain whole of assessment principles 
    • Address concerns about the increased ministerial powers and loss of co-governance with states and territories 
    • Help ensure alternative systems of supports are in place before the changes are introduced 
    • Engage and co-design with the disability community, their carers, families and disability organisations as reform takes place.  

    If you would like to listen to Michelle appearing at the hearing, please follow the link below:
    ParlView | Video 4659760

    (QDN’s appearance was from 9am to 9:30am).  

    If you would like to review QDNs submission, please follow the link below:
    NDIS – Queenslanders With Disability Network

    Human Rights

    Review of Queensland’s anti-discrimination and human rights framework  

    On 11 June 2026, the Queensland Government announced a review of the Queensland Human Rights Commission, and a further review of the Human Rights Act 2019. The review will also look at some aspects of the Respect at Work and Other Matters Amendment Act 2024 that amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991. 

    A consultation deadline is yet to be provided and QDN will update members as more information is released.  

    For more information, read the media statement on the Department of Justice Website:
    Review of Queensland’s anti-discrimination and human rights framework | Department of Justice

    Transport  

    Inclusive Precincts Guide  

    The Queensland Government has released a guide about how to design Public Transport Premises, Infrastructure and Systems in an accessible and inclusive way. This guide contains information about public areas including bus stops, light rail stations, train stations, ferry terminals, taxi ranks and other public transport infrastructure and premises. 

    To view the guide, follow the guide below:
    Inclusive precincts guide (Department of Transport and Main Roads)

    Health

    UQ researchers propose disability sport hub for Toowoomba 

    Researchers from the University of Queensland have put forward a proposal to create 3 evidence‑based programs in Toowoomba to support the physical health, mental wellbeing and social inclusion for children and adults with a disability in the region. 

    UQ states that the hub will:  

    •  Help improve the health and wellbeing of people with disability who live in regional areas and find it difficult to access services. 
    • Provide health and social data, which could support the development of similar hubs across regional Australia. 
    • Provide supervision support for students in allied health, specifically exercise physiology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. 
    • Help with talent identification for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
    • Create additional jobs for the region, partially in allied health and research.  

    For more information, follow the link below to the University of Queensland website:
    UQ researchers propose disability sport hub for Toowoomba – News – The University of Queensland

    Disaster Management

    Aus Alert – New Warning System

    The Australian Government is launching a new warning system in October 2026.  

    The system is called Aus Alert and uses cell broadcast technology to send near instant messages to compatible mobile phones in an emergency. Aus Alert will involve both warning sounds and a message on the screen. Phones may also vibrate when an alert is sent.  Prior to the system launching, community consultation will take place in coastal communities in Queensland including Cooya Beach, Newell and Wonga Beach. For more information, follow the link below to the Australian Government website:
    Home | ausalert

    Policy Submissions

    In Progress

    Whole Journey Planning Guide

    QDN is currently drafting a submission to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) about how to make public transport more accessible and inclusive for people with disability.  

    The guide covers multiple areas including:  

    • People with disability’s rights  
    • Working in partnership with people with disability  
    • Accessibility onboard public transport conveyance  
    • Interchange  
    • Disruptions to services  

    QDN’s submission will be informed by feedback from our members and will be provided to TMR on 19 June 2026. 

    From our Friends

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    Policy updates regarding other peak bodies  

    The Cancer Council Australia

    The Cancer Council Australia, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations and Melbourne Disability Institute have launched a national survey about the optimal care pathway for people with disability. 

    The survey is seeking feedback on the priorities of people with disability, and opportunities for best cancer care.  

    To provide feedback, follow the link below:
    Optimal Care Pathway for People with Disability – Consultation Survey

    Survey closes 29th June 2026 at 9am.

    Nominations are open for 2026 Australian Human Rights Awards

    You can now nominate an individual or organisation for the Australian Human Rights Award 2026. 

    There are five categories of awards, including:  

    • Human Rights Medal  
    • Young People (under 25 years)
    • Law 
    • Community
    • Media and Creative Industries 

    To learn more about the Australian Human Rights Awards and submit a nomination, follow the link below to the Australian Human Rights commission website: 
    The Australian Human Rights Awards 

    Nominations close 3 August 2026. 

    Nominations are open for the Disability Confidence Awards 2026   

    The Australian Disability Network (ADN) is conducting their Disability Confidence Awards, which recognise individuals and organisations that deliver disability inclusion across Australian workplaces and communities. 

    Some of the award categories include:  

    • Emerging/ Next Generation Leader Award 
    • Customer Inclusion Initiative of the Year 
    • Disability Inclusion Changemaker of the Year 
    • Inclusive Marketing & Communications Award
    • Digital Accessibility Progress Award 
    • Inclusive Event and Space Design Award 

    Nominations close on14 August 2026 and finalists will be announced on 19 September 2026.  

    To learn more about the awards, or to nominate an individual or organisation, follow the link below to the AND website:
    Disability Confidence Awards 2026 – Australian Disability Network
     

    Stories

    QDN’s policy team wants to hear about the issues impacting your lives. If you have a story to share, you can fill out the story form on our website by following the link below:
    Share your story

    QDN Membership – Spread the word

    Do you know someone who should be a QDN member? Share this link them so they can have their voice heard and connect with peers and support networks across Queensland.

    QDN Membership Application:
    Fill out a membership form