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Reposted by Cat Walker

Jeremy Poxon @jeremypoxon.bsky.social · 12h

Now that the Deloitte report, about the government's unlawful administration of mutual obligations, is making international headlines, it's worth looking at what's actually in it (apart from AI slop) and WHY it was actually commissioned

A thread👇

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Jeremy Poxon @jeremypoxon.bsky.social · 6h

Labor's employment minister rep admits that payment suspensions "cause harm", but they're "an important part" of the (unlawful) mutual obligations system, because

"At the end of the day we want ppl to get off payments and find a job"

gross 'best form of welfare is a job' stuff from the ALP here

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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 6h

Frankly I want them to be as odd as possible. Make your change agents extra weird

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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 15h

Pre-print: Complex Genetics and Regulatory Drivers of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Insights from Genome-Wide Association Study Meta-analysis pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41001447/

Complex Genetics and Regulatory Drivers of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Insights from Genome-Wide Association Study Meta-analysis - PubMed

These results establish the first evidence of common variant contributions to hEDS, supporting a complex, multisystem model involving neuroimmune-stromal dysregulation. Our findings add novel indicati...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 16h

Wait, is OpenAI going to see the mythical NDIS financial sustainability framework before Parliament/anyone outside National Cabinet?!

This is Treasury's standard for good ideas?

Yikes.

Crikey @crikey.com.au · 1d

Exclusive | OpenAI's first Australian government contract was handed over with no public tender.

OpenAI signs first ever Australian government contract

www.crikey.com.au

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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 2d

There is no democracy without transparency

The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 2d

Proposed changes to Australia’s FOI laws would make a repeat of the disastrous Robodebt coverup more likely, rather than less, our new research shows.

The PM described Robodebt as a “gross betrayal and human tragedy”, yet his government plans to make cabinet documents harder to access. #auspol

Government’s FOI changes could cover up the next Robodebt - new research

Proposed changes to Australia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) laws would make a repeat of the disastrous Robodebt coverup more likely, rather than less, according to new research by The Australia Insti...

australiainstitute.org.au

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Tqft @tqft.bsky.social · 3d

You are probably well aware that this is illegal under the public records/archives Act(s) etc

First day aps orientation includes meaning of record and keeping them.

Sack and prosecute them if they don't comply

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Rick Morton @squigglyrick.bsky.social · 3d

De Brouwer made the exact same argument two years ago after the Robodebt Royal Commission report was delivered. This is how I treated it in Mean Streak: "Grow up."

Screenshot of the book Mean Streak by Rick Morton. The text reads:

for the past decade and half, when conclusive certificates were
discontinued, is counterproductive to the Parliament’s intent.
‘When it comes to deliberative material, FoI does not ensure
transparency (because advice is not being written) and it
undermines integrity (because advice is not being written).’
So officials don’t put things in writing because they might get
released under Freedom of Information laws, therefore the FoI
laws aren’t working?
Grow up.
De Brouwer is not alone in his views. Former secretaries have
been doing the rounds making exactly these kinds of noises, as if
the outcome of poor professional behaviour is the result of some
law and not … poor professional behaviour.

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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 3d

In an extraordinary pitch for a public servant scrutiny void, senior public servants have blamed Robodebt on transparency. Former Senator Rex Patrick reports on a leadership failure michaelwest.com.au/too-much-tra...

Fat Cats say what? Too much transparency caused Robodebt scandal - Michael West

In an extraordinary pitch for a public servant scrutiny void, senior public servants have blamed Robodebt on transparency.

michaelwest.com.au

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 3d

I had almost convinced myself I hallucinated reading that submission while drifting off.

So much for all those nice words about the Ethical value in the APSC report.

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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 3d

My undergrad criminology lecturer Colleen Lewis in the Canberra Times this morning: when secrecy wins, democracy loses www.canberratimes.com.au/story/908146...

Who's scared of the spotlight? Accountability is supposed to be uncomfortable

When secrecy wins, democracy loses.

www.canberratimes.com.au

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Vanessa Smith @normalness.bsky.social · 4d

And now ...todays new blog post:
The state will take care of that
normalness.com/2025/10/05/t...

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 5d

They know.

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 5d

This will kill people. So will the wildly inappropriate delegation models in the Therapy OG, which, unlike the brand new Aged Care Rules 2025, says YOLO to scope of practice distinctions, including for hands-on therapy for muscle spasticity.

That'll end well for participants w/ higher-risk spines.

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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 6d

Can’t leave til they have adequate permanent supports. Meanwhile the NDIS pays lawyers to fight to keep applicants from support funding and home care packages are unfunded

Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 6d

‘Stranded’ aged care or disability patients occupy up to one in 10 hospital beds in Australia, report finds

State and territory treasurers who commissioned the report say it shows need for federal government to pay bigger share of public hospital funding * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Up to one in 10 public hospital beds are taken by “stranded” patients awaiting alternative accommodation in aged care and supported disability accommodation, a new report shows – bolstering calls for more federal health funding. The report on the drivers of public hospital costs was commissioned by state and territory treasurers to inform negotiations on the next national health reform agreement (NHRA) with the commonwealth government. Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 6d

Note to self and others in burnout: There are still a few hours to tell the government what you think about #ThrivingKids.

Even if it's just "Don't waste $2bil trying to socialise autistic kids into thriving neurotypical adults. It'll cost more in adverse adult outcomes."

#HarmCostsMore #Auspol

Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · Aug 21

The sustainability maths behind this foundational support fantasy just isn't adding up.

#NDIS #Auspol #Autistic #Disability

Labor's $2bil fantasy: Socialising autistic kids into thriving neurotypical adults

I wrote most of this piece in early 2024, in reaction to rollout of the Inklings program. Because I know how getting “socialised” into meeting neurotypical standards - in schools, or otherwise - works...

www.linkedin.com

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 6d

The grace period on #NDIS debts against the lists has ended.

To mark the anniversary of these changes commencing - and these new risks - my co-design colleague and submission co-author Uli and I thought it appropriate to revisit what we said about debt risks last August.

#Auspol #HarmCostsMore

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 6d

Oh FFS. So they're openly going with the calculated denial that could cost lives? As intended consequences?

At least they're being honest about that much.

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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 6d

“It’s unclear why the ATO would have targeted a debt allegedly accrued in 2006, given these were the sorts of debts suspended in the 2023 initiative that were widely criticised, including by the tax ombudsman”

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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 6d

The ATO has gone after another batch of Robotax victims www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

‘Psychologically unsettling’: ATO pursuing more taxpayers for decades-old debt

Tax office has launched a new initiative to claw back debts despite criticism of similar scheme dubbed ‘robotax’

www.theguardian.com

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Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 7d

Dr Chris Rudge’s and Antipoverty Centre’s submissions have now been published. Both highlight the prosecutions and imprisonments affected by unlawful income apportionment (as did the Ombo’s). APC’s includes a statement from someone imprisoned www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 7d

Not one session I've sat in has included it in the scope, except the eventual informal review concession.

Me, every time: I will be the thorn in your side and drag it into scope until s46 is added to the s99 list 🌵

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 7d

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

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

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Reposted by Cat Walker

S|AM Connor @criprights.bsky.social · 7d

***PLEASE SHARE***

Tomorrow!

One year on from the NDIS cuts - what’s the impact and what next? Community forum (online) Fri 3 Oct, 12:00–2:00pm AEST. Story-sharing + expert panel.

Register: events.humanitix.com/community-forum-ndis-cuts #NDIS #DisabilityRights #AusPol #StopNDISCuts #SaveOurNDIS

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Cat Walker @kelpieunicorns.bsky.social · 7d

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

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

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