In collaboration with Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN), NDS gave presentations at the first of three scheduled community consultations. The opening consultations focused on south-west Queensland, starting in Roma before travelling to St George, Dirranbandi, Thargomindah and finishing in Charleville.  

It was important for us to listen to provider issues at first hand. It confirmed to us that government need to understand the particular barriers rural and remote Queenslanders face in providing services. So many of the providers we met raised the lack of transport, the severe workforce shortages, the lack of suitable accommodation and the difficulty in accessing allied health professionals. We will be back on the road for the other two consultations, in central-west and north-east Queensland, in July and August. 

As you are probably already aware, the NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS back on Track No1) Bill 2024, tabled in parliament in late March, was passed by the House of Representatives on 5 June after a range of new parliamentary amendments from the Government. These amendments follow from previous?changes that clarified how the Act would define an NDIS support.We published an article that summarises the main changes.  

Planning is well underway for our Annual Hot Topics Breakfast on 2 July at Kedron–Wavell Services Club in Chermside. Over a delicious breakfast, NDS CEO Laurie Leigh will take you through the government reforms coming out of the NDIS Review — the changes that have already been announced and the changes that are expected. She will talk about what NDS is doing to make sure the voice of Queensland providers is heard and heeded. ? 

Register for the Disability Hot Topics Breakfast on the NDS website. We hope to see you there!??