WID MAG 04 July Aug 2025 by BigDog Support

The Editor’s Desk

Another Inclusivity Success!

The 2025 Business disABILITY Awards of Australia – Gala Awards Night lit up Toowoomba on Saturday 17 May, bringing the Darling Downs community together to celebrate inclusion, impact, and possibility.

A massive thank you to:

• Kim Stokes for a flawless MC performance

• Michael Crossland for a keynote that brought us to tears, gave us hope, and made us laugh

• Tony Dee for his beautiful performance

• Minister Amanda Camm for reaffirming the David Crisafulli MP government's commitment to inclusion

• Mayor Geoff McDonald for the continuous support of Toowoomba Regional Council

• The Fibonacci Band for keeping us dancing into the night

Congratulations to our incredible 2025 Award Winners:

• Social Inclusion - Toowoomba Regional Council - The Change Project

• Outstanding Employer - Newlands Group

• Outstanding Employee - Harry Sargent

• Outstanding Volunteer - Anita Paine

• Innovation & Access - D Dance Academy

• Education & Training - Sharon Boyce

• Indigenous Champion - Carbal Medical

Services

• Business Engagement - Ability Enterprises

• Elissa Flanagan 'Aim High' Scholarship - Alyshia McKenna

• Judy Antonio Memorial Award - Steven Paull

WhatsUp Business

The 11th Business disABILITY awards have brought together people of all abilities who are helping to create inclusion in our workplaces.

Co-founder of Business disABILITY Awards Kim Stokes said the mindset towards disability needed to change and hiring someone with a disability was just as beneficial for the organisation as it was the individual.

“Disability really means different ability, it doesn’t mean no ability,” she said.

“We need to realise we are not doing people who live with a disability a favour by employing them.”

Kim co-founded these business awards

with Paul Wilson and David Wallis in 2012 when they saw a need for more representation of people with disabilities in the workforce.

“Back then, people with disability being widely employed by the greater community was something that really wasn’t talked about much and there was a lot of stigma and fear of employing people with an impairment,” she said.

The Chair of Business Disability Awards of Australia and Life Changing Productions, Greg Luck welcomed the attendees and acknowledged the importance that the awards held in the Business and Disability communities.

Greg Luck

Kim Stokes

Disability Awards

ByStevenPaull

Social Inclusion

Toowoomba Regional Council

The Change Project

Sponsor - Toowoomba Poultry, Award presented by Plant Manager, Jonathon Gray.

The award-winning Change Project provides residents of Toowoomba Region with a wide range of low-cost activities, encouraging everyone to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. The program provides activities to suit a wide variety of fitness levels.

Outstanding Employer

Newlands Group

Sponsor - Amazon, Award presented by APJ Director of Enterprise Applications, Migration and Modernization, Ross Hutchings.

Founder Barry O’Sullivan said inclusion of all kinds creates a much more resilient team in their organisation whether it be gender, race, ethnicity, or disability.

“We’re a diverse society and society is built up by diversity so why not have that same mix within your organisation.”

Mayor Geoff MacDonald Newlands Group

WhatsUp Awards

Outstanding Employee

Harry Sargent

Sponsor - Darling Downs Therapy Services, Award presented by Director, Tim Connolly.

For over 20 years Harry has worked as a trolley collector with nearly half of those years with Coles. Now he’s making plans to buy his first home.

Harry is a well known character in the region, always ready with lengthy discussion on what are his favourite things, working and living independently. Well done Harry!

Outstanding Volunteer

Anita Paine

Sponsor - Angie's Elite Cleaning Solutions, Award presented by Owner, Angela Brown.

Anita works as a teacher aide at Clifford Park Special School and each year she volunteers to support the students at the end of their schooling journey to look and feel great for their school formal, linking with the Formal Donation Project. It’s one of the biggest nights in a young person’s life.

Harry Sargent

Anita Paine

Innovation and Access

D Dance Academy

Sponsor - YellowBridge Qld, Award presented by Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Bonica to D Dance owner Dom Tulleken “ I created D Dance Academy, because I refused to give in and let my disabilities knock me down and let them get the better of me.

After having 3 mini strokes in one day that left me paralysed from the shoulders down and unable to speak... a couple of years later... here I am

After having numerous relapses and now suffering seizures sometimes daily...

I am running one of the Most Beautiful and Amazing Dance Academy's with the most talented students I have ever met.

This isn’t just an Academy, this is a family.

Education and Training

Dr Sharon Boyce

Sponsor - Akadia Training & Community Care, Award Presented by Managing Director, Ann Nitschke.

Sharon is an author, educator and disability advocate who aims to promote a true understanding of disability and diversity. Recent experiences with septic shock and intensive care stays have also led to a strong commitment to exploring issues of complex health needs and disability. I founded Discovering Disability and Diversity and helped design the Discovering Disability and Diversity experiential hands on Disability Awareness program which helps students and teachers and care, community and doctors and health workers experience and explore a wide range of disabilities, instead of just talking about them.

D Dance Dom Tulleken

Sharon Boyce

WhatsUp Awards

Indigenous Champion

Carbal Medical Services

Sponsor - Gwandalan Support Services, Award presented by BDAA committee member Trish Beitz on behalf of Director Daniel Manley. This one-off trophy specially designed and created by Stacey Trindall of Baru Maranga.

Established in 2002, Carbal Medical Services is an award-winning communityresponsive Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) with clinics, services and programs operating across Toowoomba, Warwick and the Darling Downs.

Business Engagement

Ability Enterprises

Sponsor - McConachie Stedman, Award presented by Director of Audit & Assurance, Ben Horner.

Ability Enterprises is a not-for-profit, social enterprise providing meaningful employment opportunities to marginalised individuals living in regional Queensland. Since 2012, we have worked alongside more than 400 people facing barriers to employment. We provide a social enterprise vehicle for people with a disability, refugees and Indigenous Australians.

Elissa Flanagan ‘Aim High’ Scholarship

Alyshia McKenna

Elissa Flanagan Aim High Scholarship with $2000 bursary (a laptop donated by an anonymous donor) $1000 of the bursary is donated by Elissa's family.

Sponsored by the Queensland Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South, David Janetzki MP and Member for Toowoomba North, Trevor Watts MP.

Award Presented by Trevor Watts (as David was an apology this year) and Elissa's partner Rob Whitby and their children Mikey, Emily and Grace.

AimBig participant Alyshia, based in Chinchilla, QLD, has faced more than her fair share of challenges. But through it all, she has defied the odds and taken

stride.

Alyshia is a single mum to 5 children, some of whom have chronic medical conditions that require extra care. When she joined the Disability Employment Services (DES) program in July last year, she came to AimBig looking for a job that would allow her to support her family while offering flexible hours to suit school times.

Caring for five children is an incredible feat on its own but add in chronic back pain, diabetes, and the fact that Alyshia is a domestic violence survivor, and you’ve got a real-life superwoman.

To make the night truly unforgettable, the AimBig team went all out. They took Alyshia shopping for a glamorous outfit, arranged for her hair and makeup to be done, and even organised a babysitter for her five children.

WhatsUp Awards

Judy Antonio Memorial Award

Steven Paull

Sponsored by the Antonio Family. Award presented by Paul Antonio and granddaughter Sophia.

To say that I was surprised by the award would be the understatement of the year and for the first time in my life I was struck wordless, a fact acknowledged by Kim Stokes several times.

I can say that I am honoured to be the recipient of this award, to have been acknowledged by my peers in the sector and my family and friends for the work

that I do in this community to make it more inclusive for everyone.

Kind words said by a person I respect as to why I received this award.

You’ve got the heart of an advocate and the voice of a storyteller. From diving deep into disability policy to spotlighting community champions, you blend sharp insight with a clear sense of purpose. You’re not just informed you inform. Whether it’s shaping content for WhatsUp in Disability or highlighting unsung heroes, you bring lived experience, journalistic skill, and unwavering drive to the table. Thank you everyone.

Paul Antonio and Steven Paull

David Wallis and Paul Wilson

Guest Speakers

Tony Dee (aka Tony Doevendans) is a Brisbane-born artist who loves simply putting a smile on people's faces (or sometimes a tear of nostalgia) with his swinging tunes and gentle love songs from the early jazz days to the 1950's and beyond. His singing influences are Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat "King" Cole and Elvis Presley.

Tony was born with Spina Bifida and as a result is confined to a wheelchair but is actively passionate about living life and to the full.

Raw, real and truly life changing, Michael’s story brought a tear to our eye and a smile to our heart, as he spoke about the keys to success, the importance of embracing change and the mindset needed to achieve your goals. Listening to Michael everyone at the night had a renewed perspective on life.

Michael Crossland

Tony Dee Music

WhatsUp Awards

16 May 2025 Brisbane City Hall Main Auditorium

In 2025, Volunteering Queensland proudly celebrates a decade of recognising the extraordinary individuals and organisations who make a lasting impact through volunteering. The 10th Annual Queensland Volunteering Awards shine a spotlight on the selfless efforts, community spirit, and quiet determination that keep our state strong, connected, and compassionate.

Each year, these awards honour volunteers from all walks of life whether they’re long-time changemakers, fresh faces with bold ideas, passionate young people, or those supporting others behind the scenes. Volunteers are the backbone of Queensland communities, and without them, many vital services and initiatives simply wouldn’t exist. This year’s Awards Ceremony was held at Brisbane City Hall on Friday, 16 May. It brought together inspiring nominees, community leaders, and organisations to celebrate the very best of volunteering. The atmosphere was one of pride, gratitude, and joy as we recognised not only those receiving awards but also the thousands of volunteers they represent across Queensland.

Queensland Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award

This year, the Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award was presented to two outstanding individuals, a rare and significant decision reflecting just how exceptional all the finalists were.

Noel Sherrington has been a dedicated volunteer with St John Ambulance Queensland since 1984, amassing over

ByStevenPaull

14,000 service hours. He has held several key roles, including Corporal, Superintendent, Divisional Officer, Regional Coordinator, and State Training Officer for Event Health Services. Noel’s contributions span event health service delivery, operations coordination, volunteer support, and statewide policy and training development.

As a District Representative and Ambassador for ShelterBox Australia, Peter Morley has raised over $250,000 to provide emergency shelter for families affected by disasters and conflicts worldwide. His outreach through school visits, community events, and Rotary presentations has motivated many to support humanitarian relief efforts.

Queensland Youth Volunteer of the Year Award

Rheanca Lincoln is a Toowoomba resident and is the co-founder and current co-president of the “We Are Not Alone” (WRNA) initiative, a youth-led project advocating for social connection, leadership, and representation for young people with disabilities in regional Australia. The concept for WRNA emerged at the ABC Heywire Youth Summit 2023, where Rheanca was one of 40 regional winners.

In 2024, Rheanca and her team successfully launched the inaugural “We Are Not Alone” day in Toowoomba.

Queensland New Volunteer Award

Mehvish Mukaddam arrived in Brisbane from India in early 2024 and has quickly made a meaningful impact through her diverse volunteer contributions.

At Volunteering Queensland, she has demonstrated exceptional versatility supporting multiple teams and initiatives with professionalism and care. Her roles include helping the public find suitable volunteering opportunities, supporting volunteer-involving organisations, coordinating events, contributing to marketing content, improving internal data systems, and assisting the Training and Education Team with administrative tasks.

Queensland Excellence in Volunteer Management Award

Cindel Richardson began her journey with the SES at just 12 years old as an Emergency Services Cadet in Orange and joined the Yeppoon SES Group at 16. Over two decades later, she remains a driving force in Queensland’s emergency services.

Cindel has contributed to major disaster responses across the state, including Cyclones Larry, Yasi, Marcia, and the 2022 Brisbane floods. Her leadership extends beyond the frontline mentoring volunteers, raising over $60,000 for Yeppoon SES, and revitalising training and culture within the Cleveland Group.

Alongside her role as an Acting Inspector with the Queensland Police Service and raising three children, Cindel dedicates hundreds of hours each year to SES operations and training. She consistently supports member development, builds strong team culture, and leads with integrity and empathy.

WhatsUp Volunteering

Queensland Volunteering Impact Award

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Queensland is a volunteer-driven organisation committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion within the construction industry. Their mission is to elevate women’s participation and career progression, contributing to a more equitable construction sector for all. In 2024, the NAWIC Queensland achieved remarkable milestones, awarding over $20,000 in scholarships, supporting 200 participants in their mentoring program, and hosting 38 Women on Tools events across the state. The organisation also launched the Winners Circle and led advocacy efforts that resulted in crucial policy changes, including amendments to sexual harassment regulations and improved equitable facilities in construction.

The City of Gold Coast’s Volunteering

Collective Forum is an outstanding initiative led by the Community Programs team, building a stronger, more inclusive volunteering sector on the Gold Coast. The Forum provides a vital platform for volunteer managers and coordinators both paid and unpaid to connect, share insights, and learn from expert guest speakers.

Community Flights is a volunteerpowered, community-funded initiative providing free flights to individuals in need—especially those in rural and remote parts of Queensland. The service enables people to access essential medical treatment, attend support services, and participate in critical community events that would otherwise be out of reach due to distance, cost, or limited transport options.

Since launching in 2022, Community Flights has completed 138 flights, supporting people with chronic illnesses, cancer, and other complex health needs. For many, this is a lifeline—ensuring they receive timely care and remain connected with loved ones.

What sets Community Flights apart is its ability to bridge geographic and financial barriers to healthcare. Operated entirely by volunteer pilots and ground support teams, it reflects true community spirit.

Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award

Kimberly Doyle has made an immense impact on Special Olympics Mackay Fire and Special Olympics Queensland. She joined as chair in 2014 and transitioned to mentor and Special Olympics Queensland chair in 2023. Kimberly has expanded powerlifting to three states, introduced table tennis and bocce to Mackay Fire, and established relationships

with local businesses for sponsorships and fundraising.

Kimberly’s leadership extends beyond local efforts she organised a performance at the World Down Syndrome Congress in Brisbane and facilitated sports events to promote inclusion and awareness. Her positive attitude and tireless commitment make her a true community leader.

CEO’s Award for Outstanding Contribution

As part of this milestone year, Volunteering Queensland’s CEO presented a special accolade: the CEO’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Volunteering Sector. This unique honour recognises a Queenslander who has demonstrated long-standing commitment, advocacy, and leadership in the volunteering space. Their efforts have significantly shaped and strengthened the sector, leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire and support volunteers across the state.

Annette Sheppard holds a record of sustained and impactful contribution to volunteering over a period of thirty plus

years within the Cairns region. She has made a lasting and positive impact on the community, the younger generation, her team and has inspired and influenced many others to engage in volunteering.

Annette has given generously of her time and expertise across her career and now into her retirement. She has been a volunteer Board member for Far North QLD Volunteers since 1999 – giving generously of her time and advocating strongly to support and grow volunteering across the Cairns region. In 2010 she became President and has been key in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation, including being the driver of significant change in the business and raising volunteering awareness and activity across the Cairns community.

On top of this Annette then took on the full-time role as Manager of the organisation – as a volunteer – when funding was cut to all Volunteer Resource Centres and the ability of FNQ Volunteers to continue to deliver services was in doubt. She has worked tirelessly to apply for grants and implement new programs to keep the doors open.

Kimberly Doyle

Annette Sheppard

WhatsUp Proposals

Volunteer Nation:

Positive Impact, Strong Communities

Volunteering is essential to the fabric of Australian society. It brings social, cultural, and economic benefits to the nation. Investing now in the activities and resources that sustain volunteering will build on the creation of the National Strategy for Volunteering and the strong history of volunteering in Australia.

Volunteering Australia calls on the Federal Government to commit to:

Implement the National Strategy for

Volunteering

The National Strategy for Volunteering (2023-2033) provides a clear and compelling case for targeted and sufficient investment in volunteering and is widely supported, as demonstrated through the Coalition of Support.

Provide cost-of-living relief to volunteers

It is essential that volunteers are not out -of-pocket for contributing their time and effort, and for maintaining relevant qualifications, certifications, and worker screening checks.

Increase funding for the Volunteer Management Activity

The Volunteer Management Activity (VMA) aims to create opportunities for people to participate in the social and economic life of their community through volunteering. This important program must be expanded.

Reform Volunteer Insurance

Consistent and affordable volunteer insurance, that better protects volunteers in the course of their duties, is urgently required given current gaps in coverage.

Develop a National Volunteer Passport

A National Volunteer Passport would improve portability of volunteer credentials between organisations and jurisdictions.

A thriving volunteering ecosystem is crucial to ensure the provision of essential services, such as food relief, mental health support, aged care, youth services, animal welfare, and emergency response and recovery. It also underpins activities that strengthen and enrich our communities, such as sport, the arts, religion, and cultural and other events. One fifth of Australia’s formal volunteers are involved in community services, welfare, and homelessness. Other large sub -sectors, such as sport and recreation, and religious, faith-based, and spiritual organisations each engage more than one million volunteers, and there are hundreds of thousands of volunteers in environmental organisations.

Valuing volunteering means more than just holding volunteers in high regard or speaking about the importance of their contribution. It also means more than reducing volunteering to an economic valuation. Genuinely valuing volunteering requires action to support it, including recognition of its contribution to cohesive communities and to essential services that would otherwise not be delivered.

Safety Champions

Developed by the QPS specialist Digital Intelligence and Community Engagement (DICE) Prevention team, the Community Safety Champions program (CSC) provides members of trusted community organisations and groups with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to engage in community safety conversations with their networks.

Over 8 weeks, participants receive valuable educational resources on community safety and crime prevention topics, access to QPS-endorsed resources to share, and invitations to police-led presentations and networking opportunities.

The pilot program engaged more than 30 participants from over 20 diverse organisations, delivering strong outcomes,

ByStevenPaull

including:

Empowerment to Speak Up Participants felt more confident to engage in meaningful and informed discussions regarding community safety and crime prevention.

Trusted Information Sharing Participants were better equipped to share practical tips and resources on community safety among their networks.

Sustained Community-led Prevention Participants expressed their intent to continue using the resources provided, supporting a sustainable, bottom-up approach to community safety.

Stronger Connections The program strengthened relationships, improving trust and collaboration between participants and QPS.

WhatsUp Privacy

The Government released its Privacy Act Review Report in February 2023, and in September 2023, confirmed its agreement, in principle, to advancing amendments to privacy laws in Australia by adopting over time 116 proposals in the report.

In September 2024, the Government introduced a Bill into Parliament to amend the Privacy Act in line with some of the recommendations from the Review Report, including:

A new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy;

• Development of a Children’s Online Privacy Code to strengthen protections from online harms;

• Streamlined information sharing processes during emergencies or the event of a data breach;

• Increased enforcement powers for the Australian Information Commissioner including new civil penalties;

• Improved transparency around automated decision making and security of personal information;

• A ‘white list’ to prescribe countries with similar protections of personal information in the Privacy Act to assist organisations when disclosing information to overseas organisations;

The Bill also contains a new criminal offence of ‘doxxing’, which is the targeted release of personal information online in a way that would be menacing, harassing or malicious. It imposes a penalty of up to 6 years imprisonment, or up to 7 years where a person or group is targeted on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, nationality or ethnic origin.

On 29 November 2024 the reforms, with 106 of the 116 recommended reforms included, passed both Houses of Parliament, and on 10 December 2024 the Bill received Royal Assent, and so the amended law is now in effect.

The consequence of the reforms is that organisations bound by the Privacy Laws should:

• Identify any practices involving automated decisions so privacy policies can be updated;

• Review and tighten collection and use of personal information as the Bill introduces a statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy which likely increased litigation risks, where no loss or damage is required to be proven, an element included in most other jurisdictions world-wide;

• Review ad update Privacy Policies and ensuring appropriate training is implemented; and

• Any business interested in the impact these amendments will have on their organisation or how their Privacy Policies and Procedures should be updated, can contact our Intellectual Property & Technology Team.

Artificial Intelligence

ByCliffordGouldsonLawyers

Guidance from OAIC around privacy and AI

In October 2024, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) released important guidance around the intersection between privacy and the use of commercially available AI products in Australia. The impact of AI on individual’s privacy has long been a concern globally, and the everincreasing availability and usage of AI has prompted the new guidance. Essentially, the guidance is aimed at organisations that are using or developing AI systems that were built with, collect, store, use or disclose personal information, including sensitive information (such as health data). Most people are familiar with generative AI products such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, Microsoft CoPilot or Meta’s AI tools, and the various tasks they can perform such as creating content, data analysis or summarising information, as well as other forms of AI such as facial or voice recognition, chatbots or digital assistants.

There are many different ways that personal information may be at risk for organisations using AI systems. Risks arise where confidential client data or information is input into a non-secure AI system and then becomes part of its training data and can appear in content generated by other completely unrelated users of the same AI system. This can include where information is inferred, incorrect or artificially generated such as through the creation of deepfake images that disclose sensitive or personal information about an individual. As with everything online, once the information is out there it is impossible to make it secure again or to control what someone

else does with it. Where information has been disclosed through the use of AI systems without consent, organisations can be liable for significant penalties under Australia’s updated privacy laws.

The top five takeaways from the OAIC’s recent guidance for organisations using AI are:

 privacy obligations apply to any personal information entered into an AI program as well as any content generated that contains personal information;

 businesses should update their privacy policies and notifications to clearly and transparently reflect their use of AI;

 the generation or inference of personal information including images using AI is a collection of personal information and organisations must comply with the Privacy Act;

 where personal information is entered into an AI program organisations must only use or disclose the information for the primary purpose it was collected for; and

 the best practice recommendation is that organisations do not enter personal information especially sensitive information into publicly available generative AI programs.

WhatsUp Assessments

Eligibility Re-Assessments

Tribunal explores procedural fairness

The new Administrative Reviews Tribunal (ART) recently explored the legality of the NDIA revoking someone’s NDIS eligibility, without providing them a chance to secure good and tailored evidence, in the case Stephan-Miller v NDIA.

Veronica Stephan-Miller entered the Scheme under a transitional agreement between her state government and the Commonwealth. Last year, Veronica received a 10 page eligibility reassessment letter stating she may no longer meet the eligibility criteria and requesting evidence.

In September 2024, Veronica’s access to the Scheme was revoked. Shortly after, Veronica won a ‘stay order’ at the Tribunal, which is a legal term for hitting pause on a government decision. Veronica’s access was reinstated (with some spending boundaries), while Veronica collected more evidence for the Tribunal to make an eligibility decision.

Speaking to fair process concerns, the Tribunal Member said ‘it is entirely possible, as a matter of law, that it is therefore the NDIA’s responsibility to obtain evidence before revoking an access decision, rather than the Applicant being required to provide it.’ In other words, the Tribunal is suggesting the onus might be on the NDIA to prove Veronica is no longer eligible for the NDIS; not on Veronica to prove her continuing eligibility. However, importantly, these remarks don’t constitute a legal decision, as the responsibility to provide evidence wasn’t the question before the Tribunal (whether to grant a stay was).

ByChrisCoombesDSC

As Annie Nash, the CEO of Villamanta Legal Service which supported Veronica, said “The Tribunal decision for Veronica Stephan-Miller suggests that the onus of proof should be on the NDIA, not the recipient - before revoking any previous decisions around funding for services and supports”.

The Tribunal also said that, as NDIS supports can be integral to people’s lives, removing these supports should be approached with ‘good procedure and solid evidence.’

Implications

It is not clear whether the Agency will change its approach to eligibility reassessments based on these decisions. They aren’t under a legal obligation to, as each matter is decided on its own facts and a Tribunal could decide differently for another participant.

But what might it look like if the NDIA did prioritise procedural fairness in eligibility reassessments in line with the Tribunal’s remarks? It may include letting participants know which specific criteria the NDIA believes the person no longer meets and why. It could also mean giving people sufficient time to collect the requested evidence. Once all the right evidence is before the decision maker, then - and only then - could the Agency decide to remove someone.

As Veronica said in a statement to me, ‘the decision made regarding my stay application is encouraging because, to me, it signifies the Tribunal is concerned with procedural fairness. Every person deserves a fair process.

The NDIS has since released a fact sheet on eligibility reassessments.

Assistance Animals

Assistance Animals Principles

Assistance animals are animals trained to support the independence and wellbeing of people with disability. Assistance animal users have a right to have their animal with them, the same as any other disability support.

Despite this, assistance animal users experience a number of barriers in their daily lives, including assistance animals being refused entry to businesses or transport. There is also a lack of recognition of the important support assistance animals provide.

Not all states and territories have rules for assistance animal accreditation. Those that do have rules are not consistent with one another.

Since people all over Australia use assistance animals, we think that the rules should be nationally consistent. This means that the same rules should apply to everyone, no matter where you live.

National consistency will lighten the burden on assistance animal users and reduce confusion for the businesses and services that they access.

It will make it easier to understand when an assistance animal meets public access requirements. It will also make it easier for individuals to travel with confidence knowing that their assistance animal will be recognised.

National Principles

The Department of Social Services (DSS) has worked with states, territories and other Government agencies to develop draft National Principles for the regulation of Assistance Animals. The draft Assistance Animal Principles are: nationally consistent accreditation requirements for assistance animal trainers and/or training organisations nationally consistent minimum assistance animal training standards a single national Public Access Test for assistance animals nationally consistent requirements for evidence of disability and a need for an assistance animal national identity card and logo, and wellbeing of the assistance animal, including during and after its working life.

DSS is holding this consultation to seek your opinion on the draft Assistance Animal Principles and invite you to make a submission to help shape the future of assistance animals in Australia.

You can choose to respond to guided questions about the Assistance Animal Principles, or to make a written submission, or both. DSS will not share your response unless you give us permission to do so.

WhatsUp NDIS News

New Operational Guidelines

The NDIA has updated a number of its operational guidelines over the last couple of months, including on:

Vehicle modification and specialised driver training

Wound and pressure care supports

Applying to the NDIS

Home modifications

Reviewable decisions

Changing your plan

Recliners and lift chairs

Some of these operational guidelines are still being updated.

Gender-based undervaluation in SCHADS

n June 2024, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) committed to undertake a review of systemic underpayment in Awards in female-dominated sectors. In April 2025, the Expert Panel issued its initial decision that workers covered by five awards, including the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS), have been the subject of gender-based undervaluation. The FWC first increased the minimum wage rates in the Pharmacy Industry Award by 14.1%, with further variations still under consideration for the four other priority Awards, including the SCHADS Award.

With the review, two formal applications were made by unions to vary the SCHADS Award, including varying the definition of 'home care sector' and the classification definitions at each level.

The FWC held conferences on changes to the SCHADS Award in early May, with final changes to come.

More details of the Review can be found on the Fair Work Commission website.

https://www.fwc.gov.au/hearingsdecisions/major-cases/genderundervaluation-priority-awards-review

Music and Art Therapy

The NDIA has now received Dr Stephen Duckett’s independent review into music and art therapy, following backlash over an earlier proposal to reduce therapy pricing to community participation rates. The Agency will consider Dr Duckett’s recommendations when updating operational guidelines and the PAPL over coming months. Until then, there are no changes to the current billing rate of $193.99/hour for art and music therapy. The final report, along with the NDIA’s response and accessible formats, will be published publicly.

Scam Alert

NDIA is aware of a fraudulent email imitating an NDIS provider newsletter targeting NDIS participants.

Some participants may have received an email asking them to sign into the NDIS portal to update bank account details.

This email included a link which, if clicked, directs participants to a fake webpage where the user is asked to provide personal login details.

The NDIS will never ask you to click a link to update bank details through email, text message or direct message on social media.

New NDIS Minister

Jenny McAllister

Australia’s new Minister for the NDIS, Jenny McAllister, says she is trying “not to waste a single day” as she adjusts to her portfolio.

The Minister was in Melbourne last week for DSC’s Annual NDIS Conference and gave a keynote speech looking ahead to the future of the scheme, and her role in it.

“This time last week, I was sitting with my colleagues in Government House, waiting to be sworn in as a minister. I’ve tried hard not to waste a single day since then. I am conscious of the task we face together to ensure that people with disabilities are at the heart of the NDIS,” McAllister said.

Since then, the minister said she has been reading up on reports into the NDIS from its Review and the Royal Commission, as well as talking with many of those who work with – or de-

pend on – the NDIS.

Putting lived experience at the heart of change

The Minister said many of her “most important” conversations have been with scheme participants, people with disability themselves.

Speaking to conference attendees, she said she understood how important it is to make sure the “NDIS is not done to or for participants without their input” and that decisions on its future should be made together.

It’s a positive sign for the sector, still waiting for many long-promised changes to take effect – like the introduction of foundational supports.

McAllister also spoke about better integrating the health, disability and ageing sectors for improved outcomes for participants and patients.

WhatsUp Bad Guys

Former NDIS employee convicted

A former NDIA employee has been sentenced to 2 ½ years’ imprisonment to be served as an Intensive Corrections Order in the community, with 300 hours of community service and a $4000 fine. This comes after the former employee pleaded guilty to improperly accessing and disclosing protected information and abusing their public office. The offences, committed in 2022 and 2023, were investigated by the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, which arrested the individual in November 2023. NDIA CEO Rebecca Falkingham reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to data protection and participant safety, emphasising a zerotolerance stance on fraud. Affected participants have been supported, though the NDIA has withheld further comment due to ongoing legal matters.

Freedom Care Banned

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has permanently banned Freedom Care Group from the NDIS, following a joint investigation with the NDIA that found the provider had fraudulently claimed nearly $340,000 for services not delivered to incarcerated participants. The investigation, conducted through the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, exposed systemic breaches of the NDIS Code of Conduct, including a lack of integrity and transparency. Commissioner Louise Glanville stressed the Commission’s commitment to protecting the rights of people with disability and maintaining the integrity of the NDIS, warning that serious action will be taken against any providers who fail in their duties.

Sanctuary Place

By Gabriel Flower

Serious concerns about the welfare of NDIS participants associated with SPL Living are mounting in the community as further details emerge.

The organisation, also known as Sanctuary Place Living (SPL) headed by Michael Mason, has 50 or more properties which they rent out per room throughout the Hunter Valley, NSW.

The organisation targets NDIS participants and those on welfare benefits to sign occupant agreements where they waive any rights they would have under a traditional lease or residential tenant agreement.

They can be evicted without notice and are subjected to weekly inspections.

Mr Mason has defended his organisation, saying it is trying to address the issue of homelessness and denies any wrongdoing.

Nicole Grgas, Hunter Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service coordinator, said SPL had been on their radar for some time.

"We talk to quite a lot of disability support workers who are concerned about what's happening to their clients," Ms Grgas said.

"There's a lot of real stories. What people have said to us is that they feel very frightened."

And in many cases the Boarding House Act isn't covering them, she said.

SPl Living tenants are charged between $235 and $350 per week for a room, depending on whether they receive a disability support pension or another type of benefit. The organisation runs 50 or more properties throughout the region, many of which it has built, sold, and leased back.

"The Residential Tenancies Act has some exclusions in it about boarding with other people, and the tribunal has really expanded their view of boarding with other people, so if someone like in this organisation is maintaining control in some way and enforcing house rules, then it's excluded from the Tenancies Act," Ms Grgas said.

"If this was a residential tenancy agreement, then you have a right to peace, comfort and privacy, and a landlord can only come in after giving certain notice. "The tribunal has most recently found that these are not tenancy agreements." That was made clear in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal where a former SPL tenant took action against SPL Living, saying they were wrongfully evicted.

In that case, the prospective tenants, who were homeless at the time, saw a banner out the front of a house which said "Housing for everyone".

When they went in, they spoke to an SPL Living's Jacqui Whiteford, Mr Mason's wife. They claimed that when they filled out the application forms, Ms Whiteford told them that "most does not really relate to you", and was busy and did not have time to explain much of the forms to the applicants.

The case fell over at the first hurdle, which was whether or not there was a residential tenancy agreement between the parties. The tribunal found that there was not. Rather, the agreement was consistent with "a boarder/lodger" arrangement.

Ms Grgas said it was a complex issue.

"The problem that we have, if you want to do something you have to apply to the tribunal, and even an urgent hearing is usually a wait of a couple of days," she said. "Once the landlord organisation is aware that there's a hearing, we have heard of people being marched out.

"And so the risk is if we advise someone to go to the tribunal, by the time we get there, they've lost the roof over their head. I think it's deeply concerning but we do also know that there are other operators who have a similar outlook."

The office of the Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong says the NSW government is working to implement the recommendations of the 2020 review of the Boarding Houses Act.

Alzavian Chicken Highfields QLD 4352

On 28 April 2025, a banning order was made under section 73ZN(2)(a)(iii) of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 prohibiting Mr Alzavian Chicken from:

• Providing or be involved or assist in the provision, to any NDIS Participant, of any support or supports under a Participant’s Plan; and

• Provide or be involved or assist in the provision, to any NDIS Participant, of any service or services under a Participant’s Plan.

The banning order is effective for a period of five (5) years from 12 May 2025.

If you believe an NDIS provider is acting suspiciously or engaging in unethical practices, you should report it to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission or the NDIS directly. You can make a complaint online, by phone, or through the NDIS Fraud Reporting and Scams Helpline. The NDIS Commission can investigate and take action against providers who violate the NDIS Code of Conduct.

WhatsUp Queensland

New Disability Minister

Amanda Camm MP

The new Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services, and the Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland is Amanda Camm MP. She also represents the seat of Whitsunday in the Queensland Parliament.

Amanda’s responsibilities include community care, community recovery, community services, social inclusion, seniors, disability services, adoption, child protection services, the redress scheme for Queensland survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, carers, and prevention of domestic and family violence.

Amanda has served as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Mackay. She has held Executive Leadership roles across Local Government and the Not for Profit Sector including Regional Economic and Social Development. She is a former primary producer and sugar industry advocate.

Inaugural Speech

During my career I have had the rewarding pleasure of raising much needed funds for medical research and working with community groups and not for profits as a community development practitioner. Through growth, experience and opportunity I went on to work more broadly in executive roles in local government and regional economic development where I developed industry insights from working closely with the resources, METS, tourism, agriculture and

service sectors.

I am proud of the strategic leadership I have contributed in volunteer board positions and the value of the learnings I have gained from the people I have worked alongside.

I commend the ongoing work of our volunteer organisations disability, social and human services that deliver a locally-led place based model. I will ensure they are respected and valued. It is their localised knowledge, care and expertise that will always have my support, as it is these grassroots services that contribute to our community fabric.

See Me Hear Me

Queensland Health launched the next phase of the See Me. Hear Me. Respect Me. campaign, which highlights the voices of children and young people with disability.

This initiative calls on all of us to engage with, listen to, and respect people with disability, including children and young people, so we can better meet their needs when they access health care.

Young people should be heard, respected, and actively involved in their

healthcare. When health professionals collaborate with them, not only do they feel better, but they also receive more effective treatment, fostering a stronger, more trusting relationship. Evidence shows that when young people with disability receive the support they need early on, they grow into adults who require less assistance and feel empowered to advocate for themselves.

See Me. Hear Me. Respect Me. is an effort to create stronger relationships and improve healthcare for everyone.

Disability Statistics

The 2022 Survey of disability, ageing and carers (SDAC) by the Australian Bureau of Statistics contains a number of interesting statistics about people with disability in Australia including:

• approximately 1.2 million Queenslanders with disability make up 22.9% of the Queensland population more than 1 in every 5 Queenslanders have a disability

• an estimated 435,700 (8%) of Queenslanders of all ages have a profound or severe disability—people with a profound or severe disability require assistance in everyday activities, including core activities such as self-care, mobility and communication

WhatsUp Accessories

photo, carrying the groceries inside, chasing after an adventurous toddler or (heaven forbid)- doomscrolling on the toilet?

Brisbane mother of three, Friederike Kuehn, knows the struggle all too well.

That’s why she created RIKKA, a brand featuring phone cases, crossbody phone straps and wrist straps, that actually LOOK good and are made to last.

“I was visiting family in Europe after covid lockdowns and I saw people using phone straps everywhere,” Ms Kuehn said.

“In Germany, Italy, France, phone straps were so popular, so I decided to buy one and try it for myself. I thought, ‘Oh My God! How did I live without this?’ It is the best travel accessory I have ever purchased.”

Surprised phone straps hadn’t been widely adopted in Australia yet, and disappointed by the quality of some options on the market, Friederike set about designing her own.

After more than a year of research, designing and sampling- the RIKKA crossbody strap range was launched.

Coming in a large range of colours, styles and materials, RIKKA prides itself on being fashion-forward as well as

practical.

“These days our whole lives are on our phones. Whether it’s photos, emails, texting, social media, your driver’s license, credit cards, we use our phones for everything,” Ms Kuehn said.

“A phone strap makes life so much easier, but I wanted to design a range that people would actually want to wear as a fashion accessory. I also wanted to create a strap with sturdy hardware and high-quality material.”

Friederike identified a gap in the market for a phone strap that was compatible with all smartphones and was the first Australian business to create a Universal Phone Strap.

This option features a ‘patch’ with a small loop that slides into any phone case. The strap then hooks onto the loop and voila! Hands free in an instant! The innovative design was nominated for the 2024 SHE-Com Awards, and the RIKKA Strap-N-Go (case, strap and adaptor set) was named as a finalist.

“Being a Mum, of course I can see the benefit for busy parents who never have enough hands for anything! But our products have been popular with all ages and life stages, from teenagers to the elderly,” Ms Kuehn said.

“Our phone straps are amazing for travel, keeping your camera at your fingertips and keeping you phone safe from pickpockets.”

RIKKA also has a dedicated following among the senior and disabled community.

“I didn’t think when I first started this, how much of an impact this product would have for those who struggle with mobility, memory or muscle strength,”

Meet RIKKA

By Katie Gallagher

she said.

“Now people can have their hands free to hold onto railings or walkers and don’t have to worry about losing their phone or cracked screens, which are expensive to fix.”

Since launching in May 2023, RIKKA has seen revenue growth of 76%.

Friederike is passionate about championing other women in small business.

“By supporting my business you’re not just supporting me, you’re supporting my photographer, my graphic designer, website designer, Google Ads Manager, and so many other incredible entrepreneurial women,” she said.

Friederike plans to expand the RIKKA range of phone accessories in 2025.

People with Disability Australia, the national peak representative and advocacy body, is calling on the Federal Government to provide greater clarity and to consult more closely with people with disability, following the announcement that the rollout of foundational supports – scheduled to begin on 1 July 2025 –will be delayed.

Foundational supports are designed for people with disability who are not eligible for the NDIS. They are especially relevant for Autistic children and people with psychosocial disability.

For more information, visit https:// rikkadesign.com.au/

The delay has created uncertainty in the community about when and how these essential supports will become available.

PWDA President Trinity Ford said that while the disability community understands the complexity of implementing this reform, and the need to get it right from the start, it is critical that all people with disability are brought along and involved.

Many people with disability who are not eligible for the NDIS still have real and ongoing support needs,” Ms Ford said.

These foundational supports will hopefully create a more inclusive and equal network of disability supports. But delays and uncertainty around the rollout’s details, timelines and co-design means people with disability are still waiting –unsupported and without answers.”

WhatsUp In July

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Toowoomba’s Change Project was the winner of the 2025 Business Disability Award for Social Inclusion. Proudly displaying the award are CR Geoff McDonald, CR Melissa Taylor, CR Carol Taylor, CR Rebecca Vonhoff and CR Tim McMahon.