Cat Walker
@kelpieunicorns.bsky.social
She/her • #AuDHD & #EDS • Champion of lived experience evidence in disability policy & research • #NDIS Squeaky Wheel in #Auspol • MAnimalSc • Mother of unicorns & a red kelpie
Reposted by Cat Walker
Government using machine learning to help create draft plans for NDIS participants, documents reveal www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Government using machine learning to help create draft plans for NDIS participants, documents reveal
Exclusive: NDIA defines machine learning as a subset of AI that uses algorithms to learn from data and make decisions or predictions
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Government using machine learning to help create draft plans for NDIS participants, documents reveal www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
"I will introduce a bill that strengthens the NDIA and the #NDIS Commission’s hand... Our goal [is] to create an integrated system where compliance is easy and non-compliance is hard."
Only Commission measures were consulted on. What NDIA plans are they sitting on?
s46 review rights, now.
#Auspol
Only Commission measures were consulted on. What NDIA plans are they sitting on?
s46 review rights, now.
#Auspol
Friendly reminder that “NDIS integrity” is a false promise until participants can dispute Section 46 determinations that they have misused funds.
No government acting in good faith should fear scrutiny of whether NDIS debts are both lawfully and fairly raised.
#Auspol #NDIS
No government acting in good faith should fear scrutiny of whether NDIS debts are both lawfully and fairly raised.
#Auspol #NDIS
Nothing says “solidarity” with NDIS participants like Labor running to Sky News with the unofficial scoop on new NDIS legislation ‘cracking down’ on fraud to whip the general population into a… | Cat ...
Nothing says “solidarity” with NDIS participants like Labor running to Sky News with the unofficial scoop on new NDIS legislation ‘cracking down’ on fraud to whip the general population into a frenzy....
www.linkedin.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Friendly reminder that “NDIS integrity” is a false promise until participants can dispute Section 46 determinations that they have misused funds.
No government acting in good faith should fear scrutiny of whether NDIS debts are both lawfully and fairly raised.
#Auspol #NDIS
No government acting in good faith should fear scrutiny of whether NDIS debts are both lawfully and fairly raised.
#Auspol #NDIS
Nothing says “solidarity” with NDIS participants like Labor running to Sky News with the unofficial scoop on new NDIS legislation ‘cracking down’ on fraud to whip the general population into a… | Cat ...
Nothing says “solidarity” with NDIS participants like Labor running to Sky News with the unofficial scoop on new NDIS legislation ‘cracking down’ on fraud to whip the general population into a frenzy....
www.linkedin.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Reposted by Cat Walker
International Day of People With Disability is coming up, and as a rural non-binary person with disability who works in disability support I would like to suggest your organisation please invite me to speak (or at least invite me to the brunch)
November 6, 2025 at 9:08 AM
International Day of People With Disability is coming up, and as a rural non-binary person with disability who works in disability support I would like to suggest your organisation please invite me to speak (or at least invite me to the brunch)
Reposted by Cat Walker
While I appreciate the aim of these efforts to use AI to simplify reporting of human rights breaches, I think it fundamentally misses the fact there is a psychological component to seeking justice: most victims want to be heard *by other people* www.justice.org.au/national-jus...
National Justice Project leads global discussion on AI and justice at the United Nations | National Justice Project
The National Justice Project presented at a United Nations conference, showcasing its proposal for an AI-powered platform to improve justice.
www.justice.org.au
November 6, 2025 at 10:15 AM
While I appreciate the aim of these efforts to use AI to simplify reporting of human rights breaches, I think it fundamentally misses the fact there is a psychological component to seeking justice: most victims want to be heard *by other people* www.justice.org.au/national-jus...
Reposted by Cat Walker
ATO is paying private debt collector $42m to pursue taxpayers, including welfare recipients www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... cc. @maximumwelfare.bsky.social @jeremypoxon.bsky.social
ATO is paying private debt collector $42m to pursue taxpayers, including welfare recipients
The tax office’s increased reliance on Recoveriescorp has coincided with a spike in complaints to the watchdog
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:40 PM
ATO is paying private debt collector $42m to pursue taxpayers, including welfare recipients www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... cc. @maximumwelfare.bsky.social @jeremypoxon.bsky.social
Reposted by Cat Walker
#NDIS strikes again:
Letter received today, October the 28th, dated the 16th, saying that new medical information and reports from therapists have to be received by the 30th.
This is one example of the impossible demands placed on disabled people by the NDIA, and we are powerless to stop it.
Letter received today, October the 28th, dated the 16th, saying that new medical information and reports from therapists have to be received by the 30th.
This is one example of the impossible demands placed on disabled people by the NDIA, and we are powerless to stop it.
October 28, 2025 at 2:04 AM
#NDIS strikes again:
Letter received today, October the 28th, dated the 16th, saying that new medical information and reports from therapists have to be received by the 30th.
This is one example of the impossible demands placed on disabled people by the NDIA, and we are powerless to stop it.
Letter received today, October the 28th, dated the 16th, saying that new medical information and reports from therapists have to be received by the 30th.
This is one example of the impossible demands placed on disabled people by the NDIA, and we are powerless to stop it.
Reposted by Cat Walker
“after inquiries from Guardian Australia […] she received a new NDIS plan including enough support worker hours to allow her to move back into the apartment and out of hospital”.
Shouldn’t need a media exposé to get the support people need
Shouldn’t need a media exposé to get the support people need
ah, we're back to NDIS fixing jurisdictional fights, plan delays and cuts via media
'‘I’m being punished’: Emily is healthy enough to leave hospital but she can’t because of NDIS funding cuts'
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
'‘I’m being punished’: Emily is healthy enough to leave hospital but she can’t because of NDIS funding cuts'
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘I’m being punished’: Emily is healthy enough to leave hospital but she can’t because of NDIS funding cuts
Government cuts to the NDIS are forcing some disabled Australians to choose between living at home in an unsafe environment or staying indefinitely in hospital
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:01 PM
“after inquiries from Guardian Australia […] she received a new NDIS plan including enough support worker hours to allow her to move back into the apartment and out of hospital”.
Shouldn’t need a media exposé to get the support people need
Shouldn’t need a media exposé to get the support people need
Turns out those short funding periods were a budget measure endorsed by NDIA leadership back on 31 March 2025 and workshopped for legal defensibility to meet the intended May deadline sprung on #NDIS participants.
The follow-up I didn't get to ask the Acting CEO this week 👇
#Auspol #HarmCostsMore
The follow-up I didn't get to ask the Acting CEO this week 👇
#Auspol #HarmCostsMore
#harmcostsmore #ndis #auspol | Cat Walker
Last week, FOI documents confirmed what everybody consulted on an understanding of 12mth funding periods being the default said back in May.
Three-month default* funding periods DID NOT come from us....
www.linkedin.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Turns out those short funding periods were a budget measure endorsed by NDIA leadership back on 31 March 2025 and workshopped for legal defensibility to meet the intended May deadline sprung on #NDIS participants.
The follow-up I didn't get to ask the Acting CEO this week 👇
#Auspol #HarmCostsMore
The follow-up I didn't get to ask the Acting CEO this week 👇
#Auspol #HarmCostsMore
Reposted by Cat Walker
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie said the ATO had failed to learn from the robodebt scandal by using strong-arm tactics against vulnerable people www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
ATO rebuked by tax watchdog for using debt collectors on people ‘doing the right thing’
Inspector general of taxation and ombudsman says she is receiving an ‘increasing number’ of complaints about tax office
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie said the ATO had failed to learn from the robodebt scandal by using strong-arm tactics against vulnerable people www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Cat Walker
And why did the ATO go this route?
Because none of the #Robodebt6 are locked up
Because none of those bastards, who knew what they were doing was wrong, immoral, and illegal, not one of them has faced justice
So, @albomp.bsky.social when do the prosecutions start? Because this isn't going away
Because none of the #Robodebt6 are locked up
Because none of those bastards, who knew what they were doing was wrong, immoral, and illegal, not one of them has faced justice
So, @albomp.bsky.social when do the prosecutions start? Because this isn't going away
October 28, 2025 at 7:32 AM
And why did the ATO go this route?
Because none of the #Robodebt6 are locked up
Because none of those bastards, who knew what they were doing was wrong, immoral, and illegal, not one of them has faced justice
So, @albomp.bsky.social when do the prosecutions start? Because this isn't going away
Because none of the #Robodebt6 are locked up
Because none of those bastards, who knew what they were doing was wrong, immoral, and illegal, not one of them has faced justice
So, @albomp.bsky.social when do the prosecutions start? Because this isn't going away
Reposted by Cat Walker
They are already slashing away at NDIS plans in ways they claim they are not.
October 25, 2025 at 11:16 AM
They are already slashing away at NDIS plans in ways they claim they are not.
Reposted by Cat Walker
applying for any welfare payment is basically this now
October 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
applying for any welfare payment is basically this now
Reposted by Cat Walker
Another excellent article today on the ongoing Targeted Compliance Framework crisis that has rendered 'mutual obligations' unenforceable in The Australian—by Kristen Amiet, who wrote of her Robodebt experience in July.
She is asking the right questions.
archive.is/202510250112...
She is asking the right questions.
archive.is/202510250112...
October 25, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Another excellent article today on the ongoing Targeted Compliance Framework crisis that has rendered 'mutual obligations' unenforceable in The Australian—by Kristen Amiet, who wrote of her Robodebt experience in July.
She is asking the right questions.
archive.is/202510250112...
She is asking the right questions.
archive.is/202510250112...
Reposted by Cat Walker
been saying this a bit lately, but: a core experience of being a welfare recipient in this country is being illegally harmed by government systems, and trying to pick yourself up to fight for basic justice and accountability for it
Sometimes defective, maybe unlawful: what can be done about Australia’s crisis-ridden welfare system?
Sometimes defective, maybe unlawful: what can be done about Australia’s crisis-ridden welfare system?
Run by multiple departments and hundreds of private companies, advocates warn errors will continue to rock a system ‘in crisis’
*
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It’s a system designed to help Australians who most need it. Yet its created continuous scandals, with parts of it paused because the government can’t say if it’s operating legally.
Hundreds and thousands of Centrelink clients are affected by its frequent problems, being charged or overpaying debts incorrectly calculated as another class action is launched. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:09 PM
been saying this a bit lately, but: a core experience of being a welfare recipient in this country is being illegally harmed by government systems, and trying to pick yourself up to fight for basic justice and accountability for it
Reposted by Cat Walker
They have disabilities, pensions and get little support. They’re also among thousands rejected by the NDIS each year
They have disabilities, pensions and get little support. They’re also among thousands rejected by the NDIS each year
Disabled people and their advocates are exhausted and frustrated but say it’s worth fighting for a system that ‘really does change lives’
*
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
Scott Hallett, 49, has that country stoicism. He’ll tell you that, at any point in time, his legs will stop working and he’ll collapse – but it’s not that bad. He’ll tell you that one time it happened and the fridge came down on top of him, but that’s nothing to worry about.
He’ll tell you that, around his house in Yarraman, in regional Queensland, he has piles of supplies, muesli bars and water, because sometimes he can’t get up for days after one of his falls. He once had to lie there for a week, in his own mess, because he couldn’t get up. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:04 AM
They have disabilities, pensions and get little support. They’re also among thousands rejected by the NDIS each year
Reposted by Cat Walker
One of the lessons of Robodebt was that institutions, advocates and their organisations should be very careful in providing communications on behalf of these departments. Just a few years ago, Services Australia was re-writing Ombudsman reports.
We remember. Do you? Act like it.
We remember. Do you? Act like it.
October 24, 2025 at 12:02 AM
One of the lessons of Robodebt was that institutions, advocates and their organisations should be very careful in providing communications on behalf of these departments. Just a few years ago, Services Australia was re-writing Ombudsman reports.
We remember. Do you? Act like it.
We remember. Do you? Act like it.
Reposted by Cat Walker
• That is >$220m that would have to be repaid on these numbers, which to the extent they're accepted by Services Australia can't be considered a definitive account of those affected until we see some evidence.
• No full media releases have eventuated from anyone quoted here before the weekend 🤔
• No full media releases have eventuated from anyone quoted here before the weekend 🤔
October 24, 2025 at 6:40 AM
• That is >$220m that would have to be repaid on these numbers, which to the extent they're accepted by Services Australia can't be considered a definitive account of those affected until we see some evidence.
• No full media releases have eventuated from anyone quoted here before the weekend 🤔
• No full media releases have eventuated from anyone quoted here before the weekend 🤔
Reposted by Cat Walker
First flying duck (Caleana major - large duck orchid) of the spring near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Only a few scattered plants out in flower here but quite a few more of these very distinctive orchids in bud nearby - despite the recent dry conditions. #orchids #inthefield #ozplants
October 24, 2025 at 6:46 AM
First flying duck (Caleana major - large duck orchid) of the spring near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Only a few scattered plants out in flower here but quite a few more of these very distinctive orchids in bud nearby - despite the recent dry conditions. #orchids #inthefield #ozplants
Reposted by Cat Walker
Purpose of a system is what it does
October 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Purpose of a system is what it does
Reposted by Cat Walker
While the Bill affects millions of debts + DSS expects close to a million people to access the resolution scheme - there were no submissions to this inquiry from affected individuals other than a message from someone imprisoned with an affected debt that @antipovertycentre.org included
Senate Community Affairs Committee has tabled its report into the Social Security + Other Leg Amndt (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025. Bill includes validation of income apportionment, establishes a resolution scheme and makes changes to debt waiver provisions www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
Tabled documents
Documents presented (tabled) in the Senate and the House of Representatives since 2022 (the 47th Parliament). Documents presented prior to this and information for government departments can be access...
www.aph.gov.au
October 21, 2025 at 4:19 AM
While the Bill affects millions of debts + DSS expects close to a million people to access the resolution scheme - there were no submissions to this inquiry from affected individuals other than a message from someone imprisoned with an affected debt that @antipovertycentre.org included
I got on my soapbox about this at a reference group meeting two weeks ago. I know the LinkedIn post would have been seen by NDIA staff.
Yet, this misleading claim is still published and lulling participants into a false sense of security twenty days later.
That's a choice.
#NDIS #Auspol
Yet, this misleading claim is still published and lulling participants into a false sense of security twenty days later.
That's a choice.
#NDIS #Auspol
If the NDIA are going to start raising debts against confusing, unworkable in/out lists, they can at least be honest about the lack of formal review rights they defended throughout 2024.
Creating a false sense of security isn't fair on participants.
#Auspol #NDIS
Creating a false sense of security isn't fair on participants.
#Auspol #NDIS
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency: This is false and misleading information. There is NO formal right to review whether a debt should exist.
This messaging is dangerous and unfair.
It… | Cat...
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency: This is false and misleading information. There is NO formal right to review whether a debt should exist.
This messaging is dangerous and unfair.
It create...
www.linkedin.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Still waiting 🧐
This overdue request for full NDIA + #NDIS Review emails has been delayed AGAIN after an ETA for this week.
Topic: 'Cost Drivers' presentation + feedback from May 2023.
Right after the States raised concerns re 'complexity' of patients unable to access disability support.
My reaction: 👀
#Auspol
Topic: 'Cost Drivers' presentation + feedback from May 2023.
Right after the States raised concerns re 'complexity' of patients unable to access disability support.
My reaction: 👀
#Auspol
Unredacted copy of FOI 24/25-0761 (NDIS Review correspondence) - a Freedom of Information request to National Disability Insurance Agency
I am writing to request an unredacted copy of the documents released under FOI 24/25-0761 for the purposes of the FOI Act, along with the presentation materials referred to in the documents released.
...
www.righttoknow.org.au
October 21, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Still waiting 🧐
Reposted by Cat Walker
"The aim was to induce personal crises in victims, leaving them too unnerved and psychologically distressed to have the time and energy for anti-government activism"
October 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
"The aim was to induce personal crises in victims, leaving them too unnerved and psychologically distressed to have the time and energy for anti-government activism"
Reposted by Cat Walker
Yeah no it's not law or policy it's a secret third thing that totally determines how the law is applied in a very legal way that also very conveniently means it can't be appealed legally, at law.
![[Excerpt from FOI of Targeted Compliance Framework mutual obligations rules]
12.2.7 Participants cannot appeal Demerit decisions under Social Security Law
All Participants have the right to ask for a review of a decision made under Social Security Law and, in most cases, to appeal the decision to a tribunal or court. This includes decisions to suspend a Participant’s Income Support Payment as a result of non‑compliance and decisions made by Services Australia to reduce or cancel their Income Support Payment.
Demerit decisions are not decisions under Social Security Law and so Participants cannot appeal or ask for a formal review of any decision to confirm a Demerit using the same processes as those that apply for decisions under Social Security Law. However, Participants may dispute Demerit decisions.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ixeh4sx7e2e5z5ugpmkrptee/bafkreidcty6d53inqgxbmzmhjqlsp7wf2bob6wawe2jpv3qs56tipo5p7e@jpeg)
October 16, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Yeah no it's not law or policy it's a secret third thing that totally determines how the law is applied in a very legal way that also very conveniently means it can't be appealed legally, at law.