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Mr River Night
Leading National Disability Sector Advocate
Co-founder at Developing Australian Communities
Public Officer at the National Disability Leadership Organisation
Mr Night is physically located in Brisbane this week
Mr Night is a National Disability Sector Advocate and outspoken supporter for reform and improvements in the Disability and NDIS sector and has worked across Disability, Youth Justice, Guardianship, Child Safety, Education, TAFE, Aged Care, Forensics Disability and Mental Health.
Today we saw another event to present the NDIS review recommendations and findings in Brisbane. Minister Bill Shorten attended and renewed his commitment to the work ahead. Mr Night watched the event and applauded the work of fellow advocates and representatives.
The Brisbane catch up at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre with the community, advocates, NDIS Review staff, our Federal Minister and people with disability was a great chance to get some updates and explanations.
"What I heard a lot of yet again was commitment and respect, but little in the way of fast tracked plans to reintroduce practical safeguards for the children, adults and families being subjected to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation every single day", said Mr Night today.
"It is urgent that we, at the very least, bring back the same level of practical safeguards that were in place in our states pre-NDIS now!
"Before the role out of NDIS the current system to visit, check, regulate quality and police human rights breaches was struggling already.
"What is terrifying is that the roll out of NDIS saw a reduction in some of the safeguards that existed and still, after a Royal Commission and NDIS review, we haven't seen swift action to get back to the bare minimum we previously had.
"While the disability sector respects and supports the commitment and talk occurring right now by our leaders, that is not likely to last long if we do not see real, concrete change and action fast in areas like practical safeguards, checks and provider policing.
"We have a new Minister in the Disability portfolio in Queensland and I am looking forward to working closely with the Hon Charis Mullen as we implement fast and concrete safeguards.
March 1 and 2, 2024 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre we will see the largest free Disability and NDIS related event in Australia's history. Not just some expo - it is created, shaped and delivered by people living with disability for people living with disability. We will see a huge community collaboration through the 2024 Brisbane Disability Connection Expo, with providers, advocacy groups, people living with disability and agencies working together over 2 full days.
Contact details:
M 0401429403
E [email protected]
