GOVERNMENT NEWS
Queensland’s transition to NDIS completed
Increased funding to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils deliver for their communities
Queensland’s transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was officially completed on 1 October 2020, with the NDIS Full There are now around 85,000 Queenslanders in, or currently seeking access to the NDIS. The commencement of Full Scheme arrangements means the total combined investment in the NDIS from the Commonwealth and Queensland governments is expected to reach more than $4 billion in 2020–21. Minister for Disability Services Coralee O’Rourke said to now have tens of thousands of Queenslanders with disability accessing, or seeking access to, life changing supports under the NDIS is a significant achievement and one that can’t be underestimated. “I am particularly proud that there are now more than 36,000 Queenslanders with disability receiving funded disability supports for the first time, thanks to the NDIS. Both the Commonwealth and Queensland government have been investing in ensuring people with disability have fair and equitable access to the NDIS, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people experiencing psychosocial disabilities, and ageing parents or carers of people with disability. For more information about the NDIS visit ndis.gov.au/understanding/ ndiseach-state/queensland 6
Sector Leader M AG A Z I N E
Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa Act 2020 passed The Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020 was passed in Queensland Parliament. The legislation will enable legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practices. Torres Strait Islander and Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui said Act is a huge step forward.
“For generations, Torres Strait Islanders have supported their children and each other in loving, supportive extended families.” “Until now, these family relationships have never been fully recognised in law. This Act means children and adults who’ve grown up with traditional adoptive parents will finally have their legal identity match their cultural identity. “This supports and strengthens people’s connection to community and culture,” Ms Lui said. For more information visit datsip.qld. gov.au/torreschildrearing
| November/December 2020
Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils will be better placed to deliver general and essential public services for their communities, sharing in more than $41.2 million from three Queensland Government grants. Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe said the annual State Government Financial Aid (SGFA) program had been increased by more than $880,000 in 2020–21 to help the 16 councils continue to operate. “These councils aren’t in a position to raise revenue through rates, so the SGFA plays a vital role in helping them meet the cost of delivering Local Government services to their communities. “This program will see almost $36.3 million for services such as transport and communication, health, recreation and culture, public order and safety, education and public amenities. The funding also helps councils build towards stronger financial sustainability. “Economies across the world have been dealt a blow by the pandemic and our Indigenous communities and councils are no different,” said Mr Hinchliffe. For more information visit dlgrma.qld.gov.au/lggrants
