- The Crisafulli Government has established a Ministerial Advisory to inform policymaking and planning for volunteering.
- Panel includes 13 representatives from across the State's volunteer sector.
- Establishing the panel is a key initiative of the Crisafulli Government's response to the Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government has officially established the Ministerial Advisory Panel for Volunteering, which met for the first time today.
Volunteer participation rates dropped 20 per cent under Labor's decade of decline, which placed immense pressure on the sector.
That's why the Crisafulli Government delivered its Parliamentary inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland, which is providing recommendations and the fresh start the sector needs.
The formation of this Ministerial Advisory Panel is a key initiative of the State's response to the Inquiry and will ensure voices from within the sector guide the government's work to support volunteering into the future.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future, better empowering and strengthening the sector and establishing a plan to increase volunteers' participation in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
The Advisory Panel includes 13 representatives from across the volunteer sector and is chaired by the Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers.
Members include:
Ann Leahy (Minister for Local Government and Water, and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers)
Jane Hedger (Volunteering Queensland)
Ian Pike (Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland)
Shantel Netzler (QSport)
Alison Smith (Local Government Association of Queensland)
Michelle Moss (Queenslanders with Disability Network)
Aimee Bacchetto (Community First Development)
Collin Sivalingum (Australian Red Cross)
Rheanca Lincoln (2025 Young Queensland Volunteer of the Year)
Edward Cowie (Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteers Association Inc)
Dr Leigh Stitz (Queensland Resources Council)
Mikaela Sima (Gympie District Show Society and Gympie Music Muster)
Brendan Cox (Legacy Brisbane)
Sam Panapa (Pasifika Empowerment Group Australia Inc. and Queensland Pacific Island Cultural Carnival)
Minister for Volunteers Ann Leahy said the newly established Advisory Panel would play a vital role in shaping government policies and plans for volunteering's future in Queensland.
"A decade of Labor's inaction left our once thriving volunteer's sector in decline," Minister Leahy said.
"The Crisafulli Government is doing what we'd said we'd do, working closely with the sector to strengthen volunteering across the State.
"This Advisory Panel will enable us to collaborate directly with key stakeholders to drive decision-making and meaningful changes that will improve support for volunteers and volunteering organisations."
CEO of Volunteering Queensland Jane Hedger said that the opportunity to work in partnership with government to deliver volunteering policy was a critical step forward.
"Collaboration is key to ensure we are creating a stronger, more inclusive volunteering sector that truly benefits all Queenslanders," Ms Hedger said.
"The members of this Advisory Panel ensure strong representation from across the sector. I'm excited to see government embedding this representation at the heart of its policymaking.
"Together, we can ensure that the voices of volunteers and volunteering organisations are heard and that their needs are reflected in policies that support and sustain their incredible contributions," she said.
