El Gibbs
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bluntshovels.bsky.social
El Gibbs
@bluntshovels.bsky.social
3.1K followers 1.2K following 1.5K posts
Grumpy optimist. Writes about the NDIS and disability. Wiradjuri country
bluntshovels.au
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bluntshovels.bsky.social
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...
Mr Butler promised to cover 42.5 per cent of public hospital running costs by 2030 and 45 per cent by 2035, in a deal struck in late 2023. State and territory leaders claim the share of federal funding would be closer to 35 per cent under the federal government's most recent offer.
November 9, 2025 at 8:59 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
this kind of anti-renewable attitude, fuelled by $$, algorithms and misinformation, is rife out here, amid the coal fired power stations and mines

includes wild story of local councillor being charged for aiming his rifle at a helicopter from energy company

archive.li/pIFHg
screenshot of article with headline 'Bullying, harassment, intimidation: Shocking backlash for farming families that welcome renewables' and photo of two farmers, standing in a paddock
October 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
my non-cuddly cat has been velcro'd to me since I got home last night, including sleeping ON me

got to see @purplegoddess.bsky.social and @mintcustard.bsky.social among many others, which was so amazing and wonderful

now to catch up on a week's worth of brushing of the cat. so much damn hair
close up of the face of a cranky tabby cat
October 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
horrifying editorial about disabled kids from the courier mail

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/education/ky...

archive: archive.md/ttYeB
screenshot of a courier mail article with headline that says 'Kylie Lang on high suspension rates for students with disability, amid questions over inclusive schools'. photo of a group of school kids
October 24, 2025 at 9:25 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
play access bingo with this story - heritage! back alley access! broken doorbell!

and yes, all mps and senators should have accessible offices through the damn front door in 20 bloody 25

www.news.com.au/national/hea...
news limited story - headline says health minister Mark Butler under fire over access. image of Shane Hryhorec, using a wheelchair, gesturing to the stairs at the front entrance. he looks pissed off
October 20, 2025 at 8:37 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Cat believes 5.30am is a good time to wake me up
Small tabby cat curled up on a crochet blanket
October 1, 2025 at 8:59 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan taking direct action to make me rest in bed
grumpy tabby cat sitting on a white person, propped up in bed with the top of their face visible, wearing glasses and with greying hair
September 3, 2025 at 11:04 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan was very clear about her grumpiness that I was absent for 7 hours yesterday going to a 15 minute specialist appointment. regional healthcare, so convenient.
close up photo of a small grumpy tabby cat's face
August 29, 2025 at 10:06 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
next time any government bellyaches on about spending on disabled people, including kids, show them this - they are spending a fortune on excluding us already

www.watoday.com.au/national/wes...
Failing to identify health and developmental issues early in young people is now costing Australians more than $22 billion annually, a new report has revealed – up almost 50 per cent in just six years.
August 26, 2025 at 9:57 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
I am going to put this in the 'no shit sherlock' category, with the data available publicly on the NDIA website. I do wonder who gave the figures to the SMH though

archive.md/JT6yU
screenshot of SMH headline that says 'After autism changes, Labor will still need to find billions more in NDIS savings'
August 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
It's from the Quarterly Report, p20, and yes, means getting an actual plan

www.ndis.gov.au/publications...
graph showing participation rates in the NDIS by age, with large spike to 10.2% for people aged 5-7, dropping to 2.3% when age reaches 25 and rising slightly at aged 65
August 21, 2025 at 1:23 AM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
helping with crochet is utterly exhausting
small tabby cat, curled up in a ball asleep, with brightly coloured yarn and crocheted granny squares in the background
July 14, 2025 at 9:34 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan is strongly in favour of more naps
small orangey tabby cat, asleep with her paws out in front of her
June 30, 2025 at 10:52 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
p86 of the pricing review on time changes - NDIS claims from therapists have increasingly been the full 60 mins, which is different to other systems, like health, and not necessarily what is delivered
Providers are expected to set prices and structure sessions in a way that reflects participant needs. However, the current NDIS therapy pricing approach may be discouraging variability in session delivery models and disincentivising potential best practice approaches.
June 27, 2025 at 12:00 AM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan watching the remake of Walking with Dinosaurs with great attention
small tabby cat, sitting on a pillow in a loaf shape, with her eyes wide open and her ears standing up high, very focused on something out of shot - the dinosaurs on telly
June 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
morning from the sleepiest of cats
sleeping tabby cat with a small toy mouse in the background
May 18, 2025 at 9:51 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
It's Rowan's tablet now
tabby cat, looming over an ipad which is playing a video of birds. her paws are on the screen and she is watching it very intently
May 17, 2025 at 12:00 AM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan is a bit wary about the day ahead
curled up small tabby cat, on colourful crochet blanket. her eyes are open, with one paw over most of her face. she looks a little apprehensive
May 6, 2025 at 9:13 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
been getting these curious flyers in my mailbox (Calare), authorised by M. Bray, Hothouse Mag

www.crikey.com.au/2025/03/20/h...
Image of trump and dutton. Newspaper headlines, with Following Trump's leadership, Workers back to the off, Nuclear reactors in 2045, Cuts to ABC, NDIS, Cutting 41,000 public service jobs, National abortion debate front of flyer - picture of Peter Dutton, text says what a Dutton government stands for. The Liberal and National Coalition's vision
April 29, 2025 at 11:10 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan thinks everyone should go back to bed
small tabby cat, curled up with one paw over her face
April 28, 2025 at 9:22 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
the Calare pamphlet war continues - all this, just in the last week. last election, I think I got one in total!
Four election flyers, one from Andrew Gee, Independent MP, one from Kate Hook, Independent challenger, one saying independents are terrible, and one saying the major parties have failed us, all for the electorate of Calare in regional NSW
April 24, 2025 at 12:46 AM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan would like to be left alone with her toilet paper thanks
a small tabby cat lying on her side, surrounded by toilet paper, holding a toilet roll tightly and scowling at the camera
April 21, 2025 at 9:54 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan is contemplating the week ahead
small tabby cat, sitting on her heated through, with her front paws crossed over in front of her, over the top of my crochet
April 13, 2025 at 9:04 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan recommends a heated throw for all your cat warming needs
small tabby cat, stretched out with her eyes closed, looking blissed out on a navy throw
April 8, 2025 at 9:18 PM
bluntshovels.bsky.social
Rowan would like to assure you that she is watching closely
small tabby cat, curled up in a ball of legs with her head peaking out, and one eye slightly open. she looks very cute.
March 26, 2025 at 8:12 PM