Minister's message
Annastacia Palaszczuk, Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs.
As newly appointed Minister for Disability Services, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Shared Visions disability conference 2009. The conference gives you the chance to share best practice ideas, network with other industry professionals and creates an environment for innovative thinking to make a difference in the lives of Queenslanders with a disability.
The timing of the conference is significant because of vital global changes occurring in the disability sector. Internationally, the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008 is a major milestone in the promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms of people with a disability.
Nationally, the new National Disability Agreement (1 January 2009) includes reforms to make it easier for people with a disability, and their families and carers, to access the right support through case-based early intervention and more flexibility as their needs change.
The impact of the global economic downturn is also placing pressure on government to make the best use of existing funds and resources. The Bligh Government’s Toward Q2 strategy provides a blueprint for delivering fairer communities, particularly for Queenslanders with a disability.
To this end, the Government has introduced reforms to improve the delivery of disability services.
The new Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 and Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 will benefit people with a disability andtheir families and carers. The Growing Stronger program is reformingspecialist disability services, and the introduction of the CompanionCard and Carer Business Discount Card continues to help promotethe social inclusion of people with a disability and recognise thevaluable contribution of carers.
The Bligh Government will continue to strive to achieve a better future for people with a disability through collaborative partnerships between non-government organisations and the community.
I am confident this conference will provide an opportunity to share your collective experiences.
I look forward to meeting with you over next two days and working with you in the future.
Annastacia Palaszczuk
Minister for Disability Services
Last updated April 2009