DANA eNews – June 2021
Read about current inquiries and consultations plus advocacy news, jobs, resources and updates from the disability sector in DANA’s eNews – June 2021. You can also read tributes to a number of departing CEOs/ Managers who have been dedicated defenders of the rights of people with disability over many years, and our welcome to new faces in the disability advocacy sector.
More time for the Disability Royal Commission to listen
DANA is very pleased the requested 17-month extension to the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability has been granted, as we have heard from many advocates the urgency for additional time needed for people with disability to tell their stories. The Final Report (from the DRC to the Governor-General) will now be due on 29 September 2023.
#WeNeedMoreTime! Join the campaign to extend the Disability Royal Commission!
The Disability Royal Commission has been asked to investigate the violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with all kinds of disability in all settings within an Australian context.
This is a truly enormous task, and the Hon. Ronald Sackville, Chair of the Disability Royal Commission, has requested a 17-month extension.
Along with our fellow disability representative organisations, DANA supports this call, and we ask you to do the same by writing to the Attorney-General Michaelia Cash.
Joint statement on the Australian Government’s planned reforms to the NDIS
People with disability, their families and the organisations that represent them are all worried about changes the Australian Government wants to make to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
These changes will fundamentally alter the individualised and personalised nature of the NDIS. While we all want greater consistency, we are very concerned this increasingly automated process will not adequately consider individual need and circumstance.
This is not the NDIS we fought for.
Time needed for people with disability to tell their stories
To truly reap the benefits of the substantial public investment in this historic Royal Commission, granting the requested 17 month extension is essential. This extension must include extended funding of DRC support services including individual and systemic advocacy and counselling (through DSS) and legal support (through the Attorney-General’s Department) for people who have experienced disability violence, abuse, neglect and/or exploitation.
We urge the Commonwealth Government to ensure that Australians with disability have the opportunity to have their voices heard.
“Stand with us!” – Queensland disability advocacy matters
Queenslanders with disability and disability advocacy organisations are calling on the state government to continue funding for essential advocacy services, and today have launched their campaign, Stand with us!
The Queensland Government currently provides $4.9 million to the non-government sector to deliver disability advocacy services. However, funding ceases on 30 June 2021 and no further commitment has been made.