SUFY

16/03/2026

This Thursday, 19th of March, is National Close the Gap Day.

📅Join the Close the Gap Campaign Report Launch (online):
Thursday, 19th of March 2026
9:30am – 10:45am (QLD time - AEST)
Which will be bringing together speakers and a panel discussion exploring self-determination, leadership, accountability and the path to genuine reform.
Register to attend by clicking here 👉https://bit.ly/3Ms2E30👈

This year’s theme, Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing, recognises the leadership, knowledge and lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations who continue to lead the work to close the gap.

National Close the Gap Day is an opportunity to listen, learn, and reflect on the importance of community-led solutions and the work still needed to achieve justice, equality and healing.

[Image Description: Light grey background with black and orange text centred that reads "National CLOSE THE GAP Day + Campaign Report Launch. Join online - Thurs 18 March @ 9:30am (QLD time).]

09/03/2026

SUFY welcomes this judgement by the Supreme Court of Queensland and congratulates Basic Rights Queensland on their continued work to fight for the rights of people to have suitable secure housing and to choose where and with whom they live. SUFY urges all councils to take immediate action to prioritise the rights of community members and reassess their current practices.

Today, the Supreme Court of Queensland delivered its judgement that Moreton Bay City Council violated the human rights of homeless campers.

Basic Rights Queensland was proud to stand alongside our clients in this case. For our clients, who continue to face the reality of living without secure housing, today’s judgment affirms that their rights and dignity matter and that their “home”, even if a tent, is a human rights shelter.

The case has also received national attention, 'Sam' Simon Tracy Tracy our Legal Director speaking with the ABC this morning (pictured).

Read the ABC’s coverage: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-06/moreton-bay-homeless-evictions-supreme-court-decision/106423036

Read The Guardian’s coverage: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/06/brisbane-homeless-encampment-park-council-removal-ruling-ntwnfb

27/02/2026

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) is proud to announce that the 2026 Voices of Queenslanders with Disability Survey is now live.

Now in its 4th year, this landmark survey gathers lived experience insights to strengthen disability advocacy, supports and policy across Queensland across seven areas identified under the Australian Disability Strategy 2021-2031.

The experiences of members is valuable and will shape advocacy priorities for all Peak groups to inform discussions with government and leaders across all community sectors not just people with disability.

If you would like, you can complete the survey via this link - https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/vqd26. The survey can be completed by people with disability, a family member, carer or supporter of a person with a disability and by organisations that work with people with a disability.

The survey closes on the 17th of April 2026 with the final report to be released in August 2026.

[Image description: dark blue tile with a picture of a women in a green dress sitting on a lounge with her laptop next to her. She is looking at her dog. Text at the top of the tile says 'Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Survey 2026'. Text at the bottom of the tile says 'Open Now Closes 17 April 2026'. At the bottom of the tile it has the logos of QDN, Griffith University, Inclusive Features and funded by Queensland Government]

13/02/2026

Today marks 18 years since the National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

On 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised on behalf of the nation for past laws, policies and practices that have impacted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly members of the Stolen Generations and their descendants.

Today, we honour the survivors who shared their truth, the families and communities who continue to carry the impact of forced removals, and the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples across generations.

The apology was a significant moment in our national history, but it does not close the chapter. Apologising means committing to change. Words alone are not enough. Australia’s formal apology acknowledged past wrongs, yet First Nations children and families continue to be disproportionately removed from their homes. True apology requires dismantling the systems that continue the harm.

We encourage our community to take time to reflect on this day and watch this video by Link-Up Qld of the 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations -

Footage sourced from Reconciliation Australia and Indigenous Film Services.

29/01/2026

Queensland Continues to Build Homes for All, Now and Into the Future.

50 organisations representing people with disability, older people, families, carers, and the disability, housing and community sectors, have welcomed the Queensland Government’s decision to retain implementation of the Livable Housing Design Standard (LHDS) within the National Construction Code (NCC).
Follow this link to read the joint statement:
https://qdn.org.au/our-advocacy/campaigns/keep-livable-design-standards/

Alt text:
A picture of a house, text reading: Queensland Continues to Build Homes for All, Now and Into the Future. And 50 logos of organisations supporting the joint statement. Organisations are: Aged and Disability Advocates Australia, Amparo Advocacy, Australian Network for Universal Housing Design, Arafmi QLD, Autism Queensland, Better Hearing Australia, Basic Rights Queensland, Caxton Legal Centre Inc, Checkup, Community Housing Industry Association, Community Living Association, Council of the Aged Queensland, Community Resource Unit, Complex Supports Bespoke Solutions, Deaf Connect, Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Queensland, DV Connect, John Robert MacPherson AM, Griffith University, Guide Dogs Queensland, Kyabra Community Association, Lutheran Services, Mental Health Lived Experience, Peak Queensland, Micah Projects, Neighbourhood Services Queensland, National Disability Services, Outback Independent Living, Palliative Care Queensland, Peak Care, People with disability Australia, Queensland Advocacy Inc, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, Queensland Council of Social Services, Queenslanders with disability network, Q Shelter, Queensland Youth Housing Coalition, Rights in Action, Supported Accommodation, Providers Association, Shelter NSW, Spinal Life, Sporting Wheelies, Speaking Up For You, The Summer Foundation, The Advocacy and Support Centre, Tenants Queensland, University of Melbourne

26/01/2026

SUFY stands in solidarity with First Nations peoples and acknowledges that this day represents the beginning of ongoing injustice.

We recognise the strength and resilience of First Nations Elders, community members, and advocates who have led generations of protest for their rights and for this day to be understood as a day of mourning.

This video is a helpful resource to unpack the true history of January 26th:
https://youtu.be/2G4u89_jnfE?si=hY6kD3A27Le-kPon

SUFY remains committed to listening, learning, and advocating alongside First Nations Peoples for justice, equity, and self-determination.
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

12/12/2025

What a fantastic AGM!! Recently SUFY held their AGM for 2025, and it was wonderful to see so many long-term members and new members as well. It was great to share with you all what we have been up to for the last year. We said goodbye to our Chairperson Hugh Rose-Miller who resigned from the Management Committee after 8 years of dedication to SUFY. Mike Barwick also left the Management Committee after 7 years as our Treasurer and committee member. Thank you, Hugh and Mike.

We also welcomed two new Management Committee members - Aunty Semah Mokak-Wischki and Alex Marks. We know you will make an enormous contribution to the governing of SUFY. Thank you to our members and friends for attending. It is the highlight of our year.

10/12/2025

Thank you SUFY friends & members for all of your support this year! Our wonderful Manager, Advocates and Administration Team will be taking a well deserved break over Christmas 🎄⭐

SUFY will be closed from 5:00pm on Friday, 19 December 2025, and will re-open at 9:00am on Monday, 5 January 2026.

[Image description: cream background with cartoon red and white candy cane's, mistletoe and round lollies at the top, and two green trees drawn in the middle. SUFY's logo in blue with a Santa hat on the 'S'. Navy text that reads "CHRISTMAS CLOSURE. Closed: From 5:00pm, Friday 19 December 2025. Reopening: 9:00am, Monday 5 January 2026]

17/11/2025

Our office will be closed this Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of November for our Training and Strategic Planning Days.

We will reopen from Monday the 24th November at 9am.

You are welcome to to leave us a voicemail or send us an enquiry form through our website and we will get back to you as soon as possible - https://sufy.org.au/contact/

If it is an emergency, please call 000.

You can also call lifeline on 13 11 14.

Contact Us Speaking Up For You Inc (SUFY) 07 3255 1244 sufy@sufy.org.au Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (AEST) Ground Floor, Unit 1, 225 Montague Road, West End QLD 4101 PO Box 5649 West End, QLD 4101 MAKE A DONATION BECOME A MEMBER Thank you so much for listening to me and speaking to your adv...

11/11/2025

SUFY will be holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 3rd of December 2025.

Please see further details below:

Location: Hotel West End - 10 Browning St, South Brisbane

Time: 4:15pm arrival for a 4:30pm start

RSVP: Please RSVP by Wednesday 19th of November and confirm the following:
- If you will be attending in person or via video link.
- If you are attending in person, do you have any dietary requirements we should be aware of?
- If you have any accessibility adjustments.

You can RSVP by calling SUFY on 07 3255 1244 or via email to sufy@sufy.org.au

We hope to see you there! 😁

[Image Description - Image of SUFY Staff in front of a plant background with a blue text box that says 'Speaking Up For You 2025 AGM!! Wednesday 3rd December at 4:30pm (4:15pm arrival) Hotel West End - 10 Browning St, South Brisbane or via video link.]

06/11/2025

We are hiring!!

Please see more information about the available position below:

Position 1: Individual Advocate (Brisbane)
Application will close on Wednesday 26th November 2025 at 5pm with commencement on Monday 5th January.
To view on Seek - https://www.seek.com.au/job/88351746
To view on Ethical Jobs - https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/sufy/disability-advocate-individual-advocate-2?locations=5

[Image Description: Indigenous Artwork made by Yiman artist, Duane Doyle, specifically for SUFY with red and yellow background which includes black and orange boomerangs, black waves with red and yellow dots on the outside of them leading into the centre of the painting, blue hearts, yellow smiley faces and red hand prints with smiley faces. Big blue circle in the middle that has white text that says ‘WE ARE HIRING!! 1 x Individual Advocate for Brisbane]

22/10/2025