We have continued to follow up on the implementation of the state government relevant recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission including on the lead up to the 2025/26 State Budget. The following response in italics was received in April 2025 from the Queensland Minister for Disabilities outlining that the Disability Reform Ministerial Council will oversee the implementation of Disability Royal Commission responses and will report publicly on progress of all recommendations biannually, starting in mid-2025.

The Queensland Government is committed to progressing disability reforms in context of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) and the Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Review). Guided by the Queensland Disability Stakeholder Engagement and Co-design (SEC) Strategy led by Queenslanders with Disability Network, the Queensland Government will work in partnership with people with disability, their families, and sector stakeholders to set the priorities for disability reform in Queensland.

Implementation planning is underway and will be informed by the outcomes of initial stakeholder engagement held Statewide in early February 2025 as part of the SEC Strategy, as well as ongoing national discussions. The Disability Reform Ministerial Council will oversee implementation of Disability Royal Commission responses and will report publicly on progress of all recommendations biannually, starting in mid-2025.

In response we have written to the minister on when reporting will begin as well requesting any other updates regarding the implementation of the state-based recommendations from the Royal Commission. We will post to Noosa 360 once more information is received.

Sandy also raised the recommendations regarding education with the new Queensland Minister for Education following the 2024 State Election, who provided the following response in italics:

I note the Disability Royal Commission recommendations mentioned in your letter and their importance to your constituents. The Disability Royal Commission provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen inclusive education and improve outcomes for students with disability. I am looking forward to working with Education Ministers in other jurisdictions during 2025 to progress implementation of the Disability Royal Commission recommendations and strengthen inclusive education for students with disability in Queensland.

As you may be aware, in Queensland, the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety leads disability reform and is working with all Queensland Government departments, including the Department of Education (DoE), to develop a whole-of-government implementation approach.

In 2025, DoE is committed to working with key stakeholders to develop a coordinated approach to the implementation of the 15 inclusive education recommendations. This includes:

  • ongoing consultation and co-design with the disability community; and
  • working with colleagues from the Australian and other state and territory governments, recognising 10 of the education-focused recommendations have joint Australian and state/territory government responsibility.

Queensland’s response to recommendation 7.13 outlines Education Ministers’ commitment to developing and publishing a `National Roadmap to Inclusive Education’, which will set out the outcome measures, targets, actions and milestones for delivering the Disability Royal Commission recommendations for inclusive education.

Noting the constituent’s interest in the approach to implementing recommendation 7.14 around phasing out and ending special/segregated education, or an alternative approach as set out in recommendation 7.15, DoE is committed to:

  • continuing to offer a variety of options for all students, including special schools, recognising that parents should have a real choice in their children’s education; and
  • co-locating planned new special schools with mainstream schools wherever possible, and supporting participation of students in special schools with their peers in mainstream schools.

I also note your constituent’s concerns regarding their child being unable to participate in programs at their local state school while enrolled in a special school.

A child cannot be actively enrolled in and attending more than one school at the same time unless it is part of an approved flexible arrangement. A flexible arrangement allows for all or part of a student’s educational program to be delivered by an alternative education provider, where it is in the best educational interest of the student. Where a flexible arrangement involves another school (including a special school), the student would also need to meet enrolment eligibility requirements for the other school.

Noting the importance of enrolment decisions for parents and families of students with disability, I encourage your constituents to contact the North Coast Regional Office, where staff can assist with advice and support. The North Coast Regional Office can be contacted by email at northcoastregion@qed.gov.au.

To inform our ongoing advocacy on this, we would appreciate any feedback on the above information from Noosa electorate residents via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au. Please note, we only have jurisdiction with matters in the control of the Queensland Government. Regarding recommendations relating to the Australian Government, you may wish to contact your federal MP.

Further information

For anyone wishing to read the Executive Summary of the Royal Commission’s report, please visit here.

For those wishing to also advocate with the relevant Queensland Ministers directly regarding, please email the following and copy in our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au as well forward us any response you receive.

For our previous Noosa 360 updates regarding the Royal Commission, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=ROYAL+COMMISSION+INTO+VIOLENCE%2C+ABUSE%2C+NEGLECT+AND+EXPLOITATION+OF+PEOPLE+WITH+A+DISABILITY