This month saw parts of the Queensland disability sector get together at the annual NDS Disability Hot Topics Breakfast in Brisbane. Along with our Queensland team and NDS CEO, Laurie Leigh, I enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with many of the more than 100 members and local disability service providers at the event.  

I would like to thank the Hon. Craig Crawford, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, for his presentation, for answering our questions, and for his continuing support of NDS’s work across Queensland. 

Image description: At the Hot Topics Breakfast in Queensland, from left: Jason McKey, State Manager QLD, Hon Craig Crawford, Minister for Child Safety and Seniors and Disability Services, Laurie Leigh, NDS CEO.

Laurie’s presentation at the breakfast highlighted the continued importance of connecting with peak bodies, such as NDS, so we can collectively work on the unique challenges for providers across our state. She described the work we are doing to respond to local issues of workforce and pricing. She also described “the big squeeze”, where providers feel themselves stuck between increasing compliance on one side and stagnant funding on the other. With our sector preparing for major reforms, I think everybody agreed when Laurie spoke about the need for provider voices to continue to be heard and heeded. 

In addition to the Hot Topics Breakfast, NDS staff have recently travelled to Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry, Mount Isa and St George to speak at forums organised by the Western Queensland PHN.  It was great to talk with providers in these towns and discuss their particular issues around service delivery in remote areas.  

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission also held a forum in Townsville focusing on indigenous service delivery in very remote Queensland. Well-attended, the forum ignited the discussion about different and innovative approaches to service delivery in these regions.  

Have a great month ahead and please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or the team with any enquiries you have.