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Antipoverty Centre
@antipovertycentre.org
The experts on poverty are the people who live it. Break the poverty machine #BTPM 🍞🌹🏡
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A reminder of who is concerned.

We say again: If you think you're doing the right thing, you don't do it like this. You don't lash out, run from even the smallest amount of public pressure or seek to hide this amendment in an unrelated bill and reject all parliamentary scrutiny.
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
good to see some small studies now on how the NDIS interacts with other systems. we need much more of this

theconversation.com/the-ndis-shi...
The NDIS shifts almost $27m a year in mental health costs alone, our new study suggests
A new study offers the first clear evidence of how the NDIS may ease pressure on some health services.
theconversation.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Governments can and should buy and build public homes. Enough for all who want to live in one. It benefits the people who get to live in them AND stabilises the private rental market, in turn stabilising house prices.
November 13, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
Giaan, 17, had her life taken by the system meant to protect her.

When will we break the chain of harm & coercion?

We desperately need a comprehensive & empowered watchdog over mental health services—one w lived experience leaders & real power to act.
9now.nine.com.au/a-current-af...
Giaan was discharged from a hospital's mental health unit. She was dead 10 days later
At least five patients with links to a mental health unit on the Gold Coast have lost their lives in the la...
9now.nine.com.au
November 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
this is about as far from the recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission as possible. only covers NDIS services, doesn't talk about the horrifying rates of abuse and violence against us in EVERY single system

consultations.health.gov.au/disability-a...
Disability Safeguards Consultation - Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing - Citizen Space
The site lists consultations that are run by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. On this site you can find, share or take part in consultations.
consultations.health.gov.au
November 11, 2025 at 8:31 PM
sounds familiar 🤔
UK government project using AI to find benefit fraud resulted in:

- A 46% false fraud rate
- Anguish for families who were wrongly accused of fraud and had benefits stopped
- Months of additional work for government, setting up a hotline, correcting false fraud

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
HMRC trial of child benefit crackdown wrongly suspected fraud in 46% of cases
Exclusive: Almost half of families flagged as emigrants based on Home Office travel data were still living in UK
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
This decision last week flew under the radar - case could have significant ramifications for Centrelink debt decisions
High Court granted special leave to appeal Fed Court’s decision in the Chaplin v DSS case (related to Centrelink’s assessment of employment income and income apportionment).
Comes same day the gov’s income apportionment validation Bill delayed to next sitting www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-ju...
www.hcourt.gov.au
November 9, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
November 7, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
The National Socialist Network held an antisemitic rally outside New South Wales Parliament today - astoundingly, it's emerged this afternoon that they did this with approval from NSW Police. www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw...
Police allowed Nazi rally outside NSW parliament
More than 60 people attended Saturday morning’s rally after notifying police more than a week ago. The police commissioner said he had no idea it was going to happen.
www.smh.com.au
November 8, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
The gummint mandates 4.5% of the workforce have to be unemployed to benefit the economy then force those people to live below the poverty line.
That isn’t support.
That’s cruelty for the sake of it.
November 7, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
Barangaroo exemplar of worse practice, now with smidge of affordable housing (just 2.3%) given ‘poor door’ entry
@jennyleong.bsky.social spot on; “outsourced the responsibility of housing delivery” to developers, giving them “more control over affordable housing”.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘Poor doors’: affordable housing tenants have to use back entrance to access Barangaroo apartments
Those paying discounted rent at Watermans Residences can’t use pool or gym, either. Critics say segregation ‘a dystopian microcosm of housing inequality’
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Ty @jennaprice.bsky.social for this article (🔗 below), particularly for sharing a quote that exposes the minister actively lying about what her proposal does.

It will not at all work like a payment suspension for someone on remand – it is a payment cancellation and there is no access to ART review.
November 6, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Many of the groups calling on @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social to abandon her plan to involve police & ministers in cancelling Centrelink payments for someone accused of a serious offence work directly with people affected by family violence.

To suggest they don’t take it seriously is vile. Apologise.
November 6, 2025 at 9:37 PM
broke: food vouchers

woke: liveable welfare payments for all who need them including those in low paid jobs

bespoke: pay your fucking employees enough for them to live comfortably
"Having somebody who is hungry and worried about feeding their own children is an enormous amount of stress that will impact anybody’s ability to do their job well."

I spoke with @aijenpoo.bsky.social about the issues domestic workers face at @motherjones.com. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Domestic workers count on SNAP. Trump's shutdown is hitting hard.
Cleaners, nannies, and home health aides work full-time—and still disproportionately rely on food stamps.
www.motherjones.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
The government's last-minute addition to its social security bill, granting the Minister power to suspend or cancel welfare payments before a person is convicted of a crime, will see children going hungry, Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe says.
Thorpe warns Labor’s welfare changes will ‘see children go hungry’
The government's last-minute addition to its social security bill, granting the Minister power to suspend or cancel welfare payments before a person is convicted of a crime, will see children going hu...
nit.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
Christopher Rudge’s article on the Federal Court’s decision provides useful background and analysis theconversation.com/the-ghost-of...
The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated
The ruling has allowed the Department of Social Services to resume pursuing historical welfare debts, which the Ombudsman has previously found to be unlawful.
theconversation.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Labor's income apportionment bill may turn out to be completely dead in the water, because it's not just a shady power grab.

It's supposed to be about a dodgy patch up of millions of unlawfully calculated debts. Debt calculations that will now be considered by the high court.
High Court granted special leave to appeal Fed Court’s decision in the Chaplin v DSS case (related to Centrelink’s assessment of employment income and income apportionment).
Comes same day the gov’s income apportionment validation Bill delayed to next sitting www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-ju...
www.hcourt.gov.au
November 6, 2025 at 11:19 AM
what is wrong with the social services minister and why is she in charge of policies that are supposed to be about supporting and caring for people
Got through to the parliamentary office. That was the single rudest staffer I have ever spoken to when called a rep. Immediately patronising, condescending, talked over me, zero validation of any of my concerns, and then hung up on me after I asked how they were going with increasing jobseeker.
I called @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social’s office yesterday at 4pm and again just now. Straight to voicemail both times. You better believe I left one today.
November 6, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
Huge result for now. Rapid response starting last Thursday to establish a united front of community and civil society organisations. Gonna be much tougher for them to get this through from here 👍
November 6, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
So, @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social lost the public argument on this wretched amendment, allowing police to cancel Centrelink payments for ppl who have not been found guilty

So she went on Sky News to defame legal, disability, & community advocates as well as Senator Thorpe

revolting stuff
November 6, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
The minister is continuing to weaponise the harm done to people subjected to violence, even when groups representing folks affected by it are pleading with her to stop what she is doing.

The government is taking advantage of the community's natural emotional reactions to acts of violence.
\Content warning\

@tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social has been on Sky News to finally respond to the below groups who have asked her to hear our concerns about the separation of powers, due process and unintended consequences.

She has dismissed these concerns in the vilest way possible.
Australia Institute Live — Daily Updates
Stay updated with the latest from The Australia Institute.
live.thepoint.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
This is doing my head in. Who is this for? Why are Labor even persuing it? How many people do they expect to impacted by this change that makes it neccessary or important? Un-fckn-fathomable.
\Content warning\

@tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social has been on Sky News to finally respond to the below groups who have asked her to hear our concerns about the separation of powers, due process and unintended consequences.

She has dismissed these concerns in the vilest way possible.
Australia Institute Live — Daily Updates
Stay updated with the latest from The Australia Institute.
live.thepoint.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Disability groups have released a statement: "We are deeply concerned that communities traditionally over-policed & disadvantaged, including First Nations people with disability, would be at heightened risk"

The whole statement is well worth reading.

Ty @amyremeikis.bsky.social for reporting.
Australia Institute Live — Daily Updates
Stay updated with the latest from The Australia Institute.
live.thepoint.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
Egregious defamation of social services/disability/community legal sectors, advocates & crossbench on Sky News by Social Sevices Minister @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social, accusing us ALL of supporting rape, murder & child abuse.

Labor's amendments supported by:

- Police Federation of Aus
- Coalition
November 6, 2025 at 2:51 AM
\Content warning\

@tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social has been on Sky News to finally respond to the below groups who have asked her to hear our concerns about the separation of powers, due process and unintended consequences.

She has dismissed these concerns in the vilest way possible.
Australia Institute Live — Daily Updates
Stay updated with the latest from The Australia Institute.
live.thepoint.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Reposted by Antipoverty Centre
The CPSU have also done bugger-all work on this for years other than to say the CES should come back. Get serious and involve yourselves please.
I'm boring & repetitive but The Emperor Has No Clothes:

'The CPSU has said Australia’s employment services system are “a complete failure”'; they're not. They generate incomes (profits) for private owners. That's a success. It's both the intent and effect of privatisation.
November 6, 2025 at 12:16 AM