$1.6 million boost for Queensland disability advocacy

• Additional funding of $1.6 million for disability advocacy services
• Funds will provide individual advocacy for more people with disability, their families and carers
• Advocacy strengthens rights and safeguards for people with disability.

Organisations providing advocacy for Queenslanders with disability under the Queensland Disability Advocacy Program will receive a share of $1.6 million in extra funding.

The funding from the Miles Government will be distributed over two years in 2023-24 and 2024-25 to 10 disability advocacy organisations that support people with disability, their families and carers.

During the Disability Royal Commission and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review, people with disability repeatedly emphasised the crucial need for advocacy services to help strengthen their rights and safeguards.

The new funds are in addition to the existing $4 million annual investment in the Queensland Disability Advocacy Program.

The program delivers statewide advocacy services to help people understand their rights, navigate services, address discrimination, and build their capacity for self-advocacy and through legal matters.

It also provides specialist disability advocacy for children and young people, First Nations peoples and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

In addition, the program operates a central disability advocacy hub known as Pathways, run by Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion, which provides statewide centralised phone advice and referral services.

The Government will consider longer term disability advocacy needs, along with the Commonwealth and other state and territory governments as part of a comprehensive response to the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review.

The 10 organisations that will share in the funding are:

• Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion
• AMPARO Advocacy Inc.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Disability Network of Queensland
• Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia
• Capricorn Citizen Advocacy
• Mackay Advocacy
• People with Disability Australia
• Rights In Action
• Speaking Up For You
• The Advocacy and Support Centre (TASC) National Limited.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Disability Services Charis Mullen:

“We are strongly committed to building inclusive communities for all ages, abilities and backgrounds to make certain all Queenslanders have the opportunity to thrive.

“Disability advocacy is about supporting people with disability to have their voices heard and ensure they can access the services they need and are entitled to.

“Importantly, this additional funding for disability advocacy will increase the capacity of the Queensland Disability Advocacy Program to deliver services to more people.

“This will not only benefit people with disability, but their families and carers as well.

“It supports people to know their rights, navigate the services they need, make informed decisions and address unfair treatment, violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation that people with disability may have experienced.”

Quotes attributable to Matilda Alexander, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion:

“Independent disability advocacy is essential to the implementation of recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review.

“Disability advocates work alongside people facing disadvantage to promote, protect, and defend human rights, interests, and wellbeing.

“Throughout Queensland we are making a more accessible, safe and inclusive society where everyone can live and thrive.

“This additional money is a vital first step towards meeting the increasing demand for our services in Queensland.

“We look forward to working with the new Minister to address all the recommendations in these important reports. This new funding is a great start towards this goal.”

• For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/disability/legal-and-rights/advocacy
• The Queensland Disability Advocacy Program has delivered more than 41,300 hours of advocacy services to almost 3,000 Queenslanders with disability since January 2022. https://disabilitypathways.org.au/

ENDS

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