El Gibbs
@bluntshovels.bsky.social
Grumpy optimist. Writes about the NDIS and disability. Wiradjuri country
bluntshovels.au
bluntshovels.au
Reposted by El Gibbs
Often police visited in the middle of the night, or in the early hours of the morning when the children were asleep.
“They would knock on the door, bang on the windows with their torches, shine torches through the windows. It was relentless,”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“They would knock on the door, bang on the windows with their torches, shine torches through the windows. It was relentless,”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
150 police visits in 20 months: Indigenous mother takes action after her boys subjected to ‘relentless’ checks
Exclusive: A family has launched a court case against NSW police alleging racial discrimination is behind excessive bail checks
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Often police visited in the middle of the night, or in the early hours of the morning when the children were asleep.
“They would knock on the door, bang on the windows with their torches, shine torches through the windows. It was relentless,”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“They would knock on the door, bang on the windows with their torches, shine torches through the windows. It was relentless,”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
if you are wondering what the fight over hospital and NDIS funding between the states and the commonwealth is all about, it is this. they were promised 45% two years ago, offer now is reportedly closer to 35%. they need to make a deal in time for next budget
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/910764...
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/910764...
November 9, 2025 at 8:59 PM
if you are wondering what the fight over hospital and NDIS funding between the states and the commonwealth is all about, it is this. they were promised 45% two years ago, offer now is reportedly closer to 35%. they need to make a deal in time for next budget
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/910764...
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/910764...
I have tried for three months to hang in there with this damn medication, despite the vile and disabling side effects, but gave up over the weekend after missing a really important thing, yet again, on Friday. Feel better already, now awaiting big flare.
All the choices are shit, hey.
All the choices are shit, hey.
November 9, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I have tried for three months to hang in there with this damn medication, despite the vile and disabling side effects, but gave up over the weekend after missing a really important thing, yet again, on Friday. Feel better already, now awaiting big flare.
All the choices are shit, hey.
All the choices are shit, hey.
Reposted by El Gibbs
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...
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
This decision last week flew under the radar - case could have significant ramifications for Centrelink debt decisions
Reposted by El Gibbs
‘We have disconnected our humanity from housing’ www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
November 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
‘We have disconnected our humanity from housing’ www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
'67 per cent of households that include someone living with a disability or health issue experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months'
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
The 'insidious problem' leaving Australians like Jessica 'lucky' to eat twice a day
Millions of Australian families are struggling with hardship that "is not getting better", a charity warns.
www.sbs.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 9:03 PM
'67 per cent of households that include someone living with a disability or health issue experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months'
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
another rip-off of disabled people, this time by Remote Mobility, for equipment and gear. where are the regulators?
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Outback residents in limbo as mobility equipment business disappears
Russell Burns is waiting on a mobility scooter worth $6,000 so he can leave the house, but says the business has "disappeared into the blue".
www.abc.net.au
November 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
another rip-off of disabled people, this time by Remote Mobility, for equipment and gear. where are the regulators?
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Footage of guards holding down and putting spit hood on disabled NT prisoner shown at inquest
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Footage of guards holding down and putting spit hood on disabled NT prisoner shown at inquest
Wayne Hunt didn’t receive full medical assessment after seizure in cell and died days later, coroner hears
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Footage of guards holding down and putting spit hood on disabled NT prisoner shown at inquest
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by El Gibbs
This from the ABS today shows so many people who want to work can't due to their own illness or injury or caring for others
abs.gov.au/media-centre...
abs.gov.au/media-centre...
November 5, 2025 at 1:38 AM
This from the ABS today shows so many people who want to work can't due to their own illness or injury or caring for others
abs.gov.au/media-centre...
abs.gov.au/media-centre...
Reposted by El Gibbs
Now @justiceandequity.bsky.social has added its name to the list of groups opposing this draconian and underhanded move.
These are the groups @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social has dismissed. She refuses to address concerns about separation of powers, due process and unintended consequences.
These are the groups @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social has dismissed. She refuses to address concerns about separation of powers, due process and unintended consequences.
November 5, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Now @justiceandequity.bsky.social has added its name to the list of groups opposing this draconian and underhanded move.
These are the groups @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social has dismissed. She refuses to address concerns about separation of powers, due process and unintended consequences.
These are the groups @tanyaplibersekmp.bsky.social has dismissed. She refuses to address concerns about separation of powers, due process and unintended consequences.
Reposted by El Gibbs
... in December last year, the government partially privatised the system at a cost of more than $1.2 billion.
Latest figures show there are now more than 116,000 people waiting for aged care assessments around the country.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Latest figures show there are now more than 116,000 people waiting for aged care assessments around the country.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
The queue older Australians must join before the queue for home care
Families and insiders say the system to assess people for aged care is in crisis, with 116,000 people on the waiting list. Once approved, they join the queue to get a home care package, which stands a...
www.abc.net.au
November 5, 2025 at 1:48 AM
... in December last year, the government partially privatised the system at a cost of more than $1.2 billion.
Latest figures show there are now more than 116,000 people waiting for aged care assessments around the country.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Latest figures show there are now more than 116,000 people waiting for aged care assessments around the country.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Reposted by El Gibbs
Punishing People Without Trial: Why We Oppose the New Centrelink Amendment apn-sa.org/2025/11/04/p... via @AntiPovertyN_SA
Punishing People Without Trial: Why We Oppose the New Centrelink Amendment
Monday, our Campaigns Co-Coordinator Samantha Skinner spoke with Jo Laverty on ABC Adelaide Radio about the federal government’s alarming new amendment giving police and ministers the power to susp…
apn-sa.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Punishing People Without Trial: Why We Oppose the New Centrelink Amendment apn-sa.org/2025/11/04/p... via @AntiPovertyN_SA
Reposted by El Gibbs
Opinion piece on the proposed measure to cease Centrelink payments to the subjects of outstanding arrest warrant for serious violent and sexual offences.
The article mistakenly suggests the ASIO/security notice power is new but it was introduced in 2014
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/910387...
The article mistakenly suggests the ASIO/security notice power is new but it was introduced in 2014
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/910387...
Punishment before trial: this Home Affairs power grab will hurt many families
Presumption of innocence erased: what this new bill means.
www.canberratimes.com.au
November 4, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Opinion piece on the proposed measure to cease Centrelink payments to the subjects of outstanding arrest warrant for serious violent and sexual offences.
The article mistakenly suggests the ASIO/security notice power is new but it was introduced in 2014
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/910387...
The article mistakenly suggests the ASIO/security notice power is new but it was introduced in 2014
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/910387...
Reposted by El Gibbs
Even the people you assume will take any opportunity to punch down on welfare recipients disagree with what the government is doing.
6PR talkback radio listeners are having none of it – they say allowing police & ministers to cut Centrelink payments before conviction is "hypocritical", "the government can't arbitrarily impose punishments on people" and that "this is the thin end of the wedge".
Full interview:
Full interview:
Radio interview on move to give police and ministers new power to cancel Centrelink payments
YouTube video by Antipoverty Centre
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Even the people you assume will take any opportunity to punch down on welfare recipients disagree with what the government is doing.
"We need to put an end to the number of families grieving the tragic, avoidable and violent deaths of loved ones who, in their darkest moment needed love and care, but were instead met with lethal force." excellent from Lorena Allam
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In their darkest moments, too many Australians are being met with lethal force instead of love and care | Lorena Allam
Police are often not equipped to deal with mental health callouts. Alternative first responders are better placed to de-escalate tension and reduce harm
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:25 PM
"We need to put an end to the number of families grieving the tragic, avoidable and violent deaths of loved ones who, in their darkest moment needed love and care, but were instead met with lethal force." excellent from Lorena Allam
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
latest digital inclusion index is out - First Nations people have the biggest gap
digitalinclusionindex.org.au
digitalinclusionindex.org.au
Home - Australian Digital Inclusion Index
Measuring Australia's digital divide. The Australian Digital Inclusion Index tracks and reports on digital inclusion in Australia.
digitalinclusionindex.org.au
November 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM
latest digital inclusion index is out - First Nations people have the biggest gap
digitalinclusionindex.org.au
digitalinclusionindex.org.au
wild 'both sidesing' of a deeply terrible bit of legislation - of course the police think more powers are a good idea. that does not mean that is true
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Fears fugitive welfare cut-off will capture innocent people
Fugitives wanted for some of the most serious crimes and sexual offences could soon be stripped of their welfare payments.
www.abc.net.au
November 4, 2025 at 9:40 PM
wild 'both sidesing' of a deeply terrible bit of legislation - of course the police think more powers are a good idea. that does not mean that is true
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
"You could see him gasping for air, they were putting needles in him, I don't know what was happening," Mrs Drabsch said.
"It broke my heart, absolute shock, he was a wonderful husband."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
"It broke my heart, absolute shock, he was a wonderful husband."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Couple 'effectively unable to be involved in care decisions' before man's death
Bruce Drabsch's daughter Melinda Dagger, who was travelling to hospital to be with her ailing father, was phoned by a doctor and asked to inform her mother her husband of more than six decades had die...
www.abc.net.au
November 4, 2025 at 9:38 PM
"You could see him gasping for air, they were putting needles in him, I don't know what was happening," Mrs Drabsch said.
"It broke my heart, absolute shock, he was a wonderful husband."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
"It broke my heart, absolute shock, he was a wonderful husband."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Reposted by El Gibbs
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) Chair Karly Warner called the proposal “controversial” and said it is “an unprecedented attack on fairness and due process which will shake public confidence in our legal system.”
The separation of powers is not optional.
The separation of powers is not optional.
'Growing calls for Labor to abandon new powers to stop Centrelink payments for people accused of a serious offence'
@antipovertycentre.org is joined by many other organisations
apcentre.substack.com/p/growing-ca...
@antipovertycentre.org is joined by many other organisations
apcentre.substack.com/p/growing-ca...
Growing calls for Labor to abandon police involvement in stopping Centrelink payments
Civil society organisations representing welfare recipients, First Nations people, survivors of family violence, disabled people and legal experts are calling on the government to scrap a proposed law...
apcentre.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:12 PM
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) Chair Karly Warner called the proposal “controversial” and said it is “an unprecedented attack on fairness and due process which will shake public confidence in our legal system.”
The separation of powers is not optional.
The separation of powers is not optional.
'Growing calls for Labor to abandon new powers to stop Centrelink payments for people accused of a serious offence'
@antipovertycentre.org is joined by many other organisations
apcentre.substack.com/p/growing-ca...
@antipovertycentre.org is joined by many other organisations
apcentre.substack.com/p/growing-ca...
Growing calls for Labor to abandon police involvement in stopping Centrelink payments
Civil society organisations representing welfare recipients, First Nations people, survivors of family violence, disabled people and legal experts are calling on the government to scrap a proposed law...
apcentre.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:49 PM
'Growing calls for Labor to abandon new powers to stop Centrelink payments for people accused of a serious offence'
@antipovertycentre.org is joined by many other organisations
apcentre.substack.com/p/growing-ca...
@antipovertycentre.org is joined by many other organisations
apcentre.substack.com/p/growing-ca...
Disabled NT man died naked in cell wearing spit hood and cuffs, inquest told
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Disabled NT man put in spit hood and cuffs then died naked in cell, inquest told
Wayne Hunt was kept in detention after a seizure instead of being taken to hospital, coroner hears
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Disabled NT man died naked in cell wearing spit hood and cuffs, inquest told
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
another utter failure of private delivery of public services
“It’s hard to think of another government-funded industry allowed to operate in this way … to continue soaking up so much public money and to spit out so few results.” @jeremypoxon.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
“It’s hard to think of another government-funded industry allowed to operate in this way … to continue soaking up so much public money and to spit out so few results.” @jeremypoxon.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Nearly 90% of jobseekers unable to get long-term work despite millions spent on private job agencies
Employment department’s annual report shows just 11.7% of jobseekers ended up with jobs lasting at least 26 weeks last year
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:16 PM
another utter failure of private delivery of public services
“It’s hard to think of another government-funded industry allowed to operate in this way … to continue soaking up so much public money and to spit out so few results.” @jeremypoxon.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
“It’s hard to think of another government-funded industry allowed to operate in this way … to continue soaking up so much public money and to spit out so few results.” @jeremypoxon.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by El Gibbs
Presumption of Innocence? Not if you're on welfare phonakins.com/2025/11/03/p...
Presumption of Innocence? Not if you’re on welfare
Oh, we live in exiting times. Exiting time where, because the cops couldn’t catch the sov cit who killed a couple of them, we get to seem the “Labor” party try to pass legislation…
phonakins.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Presumption of Innocence? Not if you're on welfare phonakins.com/2025/11/03/p...