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Opinion/Commentary

Is immigration to blame for rent rises?

Red and white ‘For Rent’ sign in front of white house
Image: feverpitched, iStock

In Australia and other parts of the world, the cost of living is hitting most people hard.

Since the pandemic, the cost of food, fuel/ gas, rent and housing have kept skyrocketing.

I’ve written about this a few times. Last year, I wrote that many people planned on skipping Christmas presents to limit costs.

This year, things haven’t been any better. In February, interest rates had risen nine times since Labor came to power.

Renters are also hurting

Throughout this year, renters have found it harder to gain long – term and affordable accommodation.

According to the ABC, renters risk having insecure housing. Many tenants, who are forced to pay more rent, are also waiting for repairs.

Is immigration responsible for the rental crisis?

People making the shape of Australia
Image: Boarding1Now, iStock

Is immigration responsible for the rental property shortage and inflation? Or are they just scapegoats?

According to the ABC, former Liberal Treasurer, Peter Costello claimed that immigration is great for Australia. However, i5 was putting pressure on the property and rental market.

Australia’s inflation has been rising rapidly since September. In that time, rents have gone up by by 2.2 per cent.Property prices have risen 1.3 per cent.

Rents have risen by 7.6 per cent; the highest rise since 2009. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have claimed that rent prices would be worse without the government’s Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

Economist, Chris Richardson told the ABC that immigration wa# only “part of the inflation story”.

Richardson praised immigration for filling skill shortsges. However, he admitted that immigration played a part in exacerbating the rent crisis.

Reserve Bank Australia Michele Bullock said in a speech made similar claims:

Immigration, I think in general, is a good thing for Australia. It’s always been a good thing. Obviously, there’s contention for housing and things that the government has got to think about, but the concept of immigration in and of itself, I think, ultimately is a good thing — if it’s run well.

What are renters’ rights?

I think it’s important to point out legal rights renters have. Unfortnately, the Renters and Housing Union spokesperson, Monty Hill claimed:

A lot of people don’t know the rules… or understand the grey areas. They’re [the tenants are] not understanding that they can challenge these things and there is a process for that, outside of talking to the property manager or landlord.

Rights for renters and landlords vary from state to state, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (of course they do!)

New South Wales

  • Landlords can only increase rents once every twelve months
  • Landlords must give written notice to tenants at least sixty days before a rent increase.
  • Rents can’t be increased if a lease is fixed for only two years
  • Landlords must not give vague reasons for the increase; i.e, ‘in line with the market’
  • Tenants have a right to challenge rent increases within thirty days of getting the notice.

Victoria

  • Similar to New South Wales, landlords can increase rents every twelve months on periodic rental agreements from mid – 2019 or later. On older agreements, landlords can raise rents every six months
  • There’s no caps on how much rents can increase
  • Landlords must give tenants a minimum sixty days notice before rents can increase
  • Rental properties must meet minimum structural standards. These include:
    • Must have functioning deadlatches, with functioning locks. Outside must be able to be locked and unlocked with a key, and the inside be able to be locked/ unlocked without
    • Must have functional toilets, and bathrooms with adequate hot and cold water
    • Kitchens must have a dedicated food preparation/ cooking area. It must include a working stove top with at least two functioning hotplates
    • Windows need blinds or coverings in bedrooms and living areas. Tenants needto be able to lock windows
    • Working heater in main living area
    • Enough ventilation and adequate lighting
    • Update electric switcheboards with safety switches and circuit breakers
  • Landlords must fix any broken windows or mould immediately. Tenants are responsible for making sure bathroom is properly ventilated
  • When renters want to end a tenancy, they usually have to give the landlord twenty – eight days notice. In some cases, tenants can give a two weeks’ notice.
  • If a landlord wants to end a tenancy, they must give ninety days notice. The landlord has to provide an adequate reason and evidence to evict a tenant

Queensland

  • Landlords can increase rents every six months, provided they give tenants two month# written notice. However, in March this year, the Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government was planning to only allow the landlords to raise rents once a year. (I’m not sure whethe4 or not it changed).
  • Rents can’t increase during a fixed term unless it’s stated in the agreement.
  • Tenants can challenge rent increases by going to Queensland’s Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
  • Since September, Queensland rentals have been mandated to be “safe, secure and functional”.
  • Other mandates include, but not limited to:
    • Homes must be weatherproof and structurally sound
    • Properties must have doorswith external locks and curtains must be on bedroom windows
    • There must be functioning drainage and plumbing
    • Must have functioning bathrooms and kitchens.
  • Landlord is responsible for ensuring that is their property is fit to live in. They are responsible for mould and other repairs. However, tenants and their associates are responsible for any damage they cause.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

  • Landlords can only raise rents once every twelve months
  • Tenants must be given eight weeks’ notice
  • Details of rent increases must be included in fixed -term agreements
  • The rate in which landlords raise rents must be in line with the Consumer Price Index
  • Landlords can only can only raise rents in line with inflation, plus 10%.
  • If a labdlord exceeds the rent increase limit and the tenant refuses the deal, the landlord must apply to the tribunal
  • Landlords must ensure tha5 properties are inhabitable and be in a reasonable state
  • Landlords have nine months to ensure energy efficiency standard for ceiling insulation is met
  • Landlords are responsible for maintaining the property
  • Landlords are responsiblefor urgent repairs if the damage puts tenants in potential risk of harm. This includes mould.
  • Tenants must alert their landlord as soon as possible when repairs are needed
  • Tenants may be responsible for maintaining gardens, smoke alarms and light bulbs.
  • Generally, tenants in a periodic tenancy or who are leaving after a fixed – term lease must give the landlord three weeks notice. This doesn’t always apply.
  • Tenants who break the lease clause may be required to pay six – weeks worth of rent or pay rent until a new tenant is found. However, limits may apply.
  • Landlords can’t evict a tenant/s without a proper reason

Western Australia

  • Landlords can only increase rents for fixed – term tenants outlined in the tenancy agreement, with details on how they’re calculated.
  • Landlords can increase rents after giving tenants sixty days notice
  • Rents can increase at six month intervals
  • Within 30 days, tenants can approach the Magistrates Court to dispute rent increases
  • All rental properties must be in reasonable condition
  • Rentals need to have adequate safety and security: secure locks on doors and windows, outside lights, window fittings and working smoke alarms
  • Landlords are responsible for urgent maintenance. They must comply with building and health and safety regulations
  • Landlords are responsible for mould and mildew caused by faulty gutters, lack of ventilation or other faulty fixtures
  • Tenants are held responsible for any damage they cause. They must arrange (and pay for) those repairs
  • For tenants with fixed – term leases, landlords must give tenants thirty – days’ notice if they don’r ppt want to renew the lease
  • For those in peroidic tenancies, landlords must give tenants thirty days’ notice if they’re selling the property. If they are ending the tenancy without valid reason, landlords must give tenants sixty days’ notice
  • If a tenant wants to end a fixed – term tenancy, they must give the landlord thirty days’ notice. If a tenant wants to end a periodic tenancy, they must give the landlord twenty – one days’ notice.

South Australia

  • Rents can only be increased once a year
  • Tenants must be given sixty days’ notice before rents are raised
  • If the tenant believes that a rent rise is excessive, they can contact the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
  • In a fixed – term agreement, any rent increases must be outlined in the document
  • Landlords must provide a clean and safe home for tenants
  • Repairs that the landlord are responsible for include:
    • Satisfactory kitchen and bathroom
    • Plumbing, gas and electricity
    • Access to natural lighting and ventilation
  • Landlords and tenants are both responsible for maintenance. Landlords are usually responsible for: replacing blown light bulbs, tap filters, garden work like pruning fruit trees. They also responsible for general repairs and must carry such repairs in a timely manner. Landlords must also keep homes free of mould.
  • Tenants are responsible for: cleaning air conditioner filters and general garden maintenance
  • To end a fixed – term lease, the landlord or tenant need to give the other party twenty – eight day notice. If no notice is given in the timeframe, the tenancy continues as a periodic lease.
  • When a tenant wants to end a periodic lease, the tenant must give three weeks (21 days) or a month notice if the rent is paid monthly. If a landlord wants to end a tenancy for no reason, they must give the tenant 90 days’ notice (for a periodic lease). If a landlord plans to live in, demolish it, do major renovations or want to sell their property, they need to give tenants sixty days’ notice.

Tasmania

  • Rents can increase once a year
  • Landlords are required to give tenants sixty days noticed before they increase rent
  • Rents can be increased in a fixed term, only if it’s explicitly outlined in the lease
  • If tenants believe a rent increase is excessive, they can apply a review through the Residential Tenancy Commission
  • Rental properties must be waterproof, clean and in good condition
  • Rental properties must have:
    • a functioning toilet
    • kitchens that have a stove top, oven, sink and hot and cold running water
    • Safe and functioning power points. Electrical wires need to be behind walls or in the ceiling
    • Adequate lighting ( natural and/ or artificial)
    • Fixed heater — wood or heat pump — in the main living area
    • Blinds/ curtains
    • Adequate ventilation
  • Landlords are responsible for maintenance. They must ensure the property remains in a satisfactory condition. Tenants must notify the landlord of repairs needed within seven days.
  • Fixed period leases: if landlord wants to end a tenancy, they must give tenants 42 – 60 days notice
  • Non – fixed lease: landlord must give tenant forty – two days’ notice that property will be sold, leased out to another person, renovated, no longer a rental property or a family member is set to move in

Northern Territory

  • Landlords can increase rents once every six months
  • Landlords must give tenants at least thirty days’ written notice before raising rent
  • Landlords can only raise the rent if it’s stated in the lease
  • Tenants can apply to the tribunal if they think the rent rise is excessive
  • Properties must be habitable
  • Landlords must ensure everything is in reasonable state of repair
  • Landlords must adhere to health and safety regulations
  • Landlords must ensure that properties have secure locks and other security measures
  • Landlords must ensure rental properties are livable, allowing wear and tear
  • Landlords are responsible for:
    • Burst pipes
    • Blocked toilets
    • Breakdown of services that are essential
  • To end a fixed – term lease, landlords and tenants must give the other party at least two weeks (14 days) notice
  • For periodic leases, tenants must give at least two weeks (14 days) notice
  • However, if a landlord wants to end a periodic lease, they must give tenants six weeks (42 days) notice

Who do these State/ Territory regulations benefit?

At the bottom of the article, commenters alleged that when they complained to their State’s/ Territory’s legal body, they were evicted. Other conmenters lamented that the laws favour the tenants

While working on this post, here is the conclusion I’ve come up with. Australia has been behind in housing development. Australia isn’t ready for mass migration. That is not the fault of those who choose to live here. It’s the fault of governments.

Laws surrounding rental properties need to change. I believe they must be clear, fair to landlords and tenants and nationwide.

What do you think is contributing to Australia’s rental crisis? What do you think can fix it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Opinion/Commentary

ADHD diagnoses are rising. Should people with the condition join the NDIS?

Image: Ildar Abulkhanov, iStock

Should treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) be covered under the National Disability Insurance Scheme?

According to Sydney Morning Herald, mental health professionals are pressuring Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese to include ADHD on the NDIS.

In July, psychologists and psychiatrists attended a Senate Committee arguing for more people with ADHD be included on the NDIS. Currently, over 800,000 children have an ADHD diagnosis. Only 5,000 currently access the NDIS.

According to SMH’s Natassia Chrysanthos, in the past five years, the number of Australians being medicated for ADHD has more than doubled. Figures show that more than 400,000 people take medication for the neurodevelopmental disorder. Awareness and education have been attributed to the spike.

That’s a huge spike!

What the Senate Inquiry recommended

Corner of Australian green Medicare card showing Medicare logo. Calculator and Australian money notes in the background.
Image: robymac, iStock

So, why are psychologists and psychiatrists pushing for more children with ADHD be put on the NDIS?

Because Medicare has proven to be grossly inadequate. Waiting lists are too long and too many parents can’t afford to get their children assessed or treated.

The Senate Inquiry recommended changes the Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The findings recommended a nationwide approach to treatment and research:

It is clear that a more consistent and coordinated approach is needed across government systems to ensure these systems are accessible to people with ADHD.

Other submissions pointed out the need for access to Occupational Therapists (OTs), psychologists and speech therapists.

Adult ADHD and potential risks

ADHD is often looked down upon. Some people say that it ‘wasn’t a thing’ ten years ago.

Often, ADHD is stereotyped as children (particularly boys), misbehaving. However, there is a lot more to ADHD. And it can have devastating consequences if not managed properly.

Potential risks for adults with unmanaged ADHD can include:

1. Car accidents and dangerous behaviour: According to Very Well Mind, adults with ADHD can be easily distracted while driving. People with ADHD are also more prone to risk – taking behaviour, such as speeding.

2. Anxiety: According to Very Well Health, people with ADHD often suffer from anxiety. The comorbidity rate is around 50%.

3. Substance use disorder: Many studies show that adults with ADHD are likely to be addicted to nicotine. They are 50% more likely than the general population to have a drug or alcohol use disorder.

4. Difficulties in the workplace: Adults face many issues in the workplace, especially around staying on task and communicating.

5. Difficulty in self – esteem, emotional regulations and relationships: People with ADHD often struggle with self – esteem, emotional regulation and relationships.

In romantic relationships, people with ADHD may be able to ‘mask’ their symptoms initially. However, the longer a relationship goes on, hyper focusing on a partner may turn to ignoring.

Due to low self – esteem, people with ADHD may constantly seek out reassurance from their partner/s. They may constantly question their partner/s’ love and commitment. This can put a strain on the relationship, as trust slowly erodes away.

What is the answer?

I have sympathy for people with conditions like ADHD. I’m all for early diagnosis and intervention. People with ADHD deserve to get the support they need.

However, I’m not sure that increasing the number of participants on the NDIS is the answer. Many people with neurodivergence and/ or mental illnesses have been let down badly by the National Disability Insurance Agency already.

I think fixing Medicare, making psychology free and accessible is a potential answer. Trying to fit more and more people on the NDIS will only end badly.

What do you think? Should people with ADHD have access to the NDIS? Or is there another solution? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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Opinion/Commentary

Family vlogger, Ruby Franke has been refused bail after child abuse charges. Who didn’t see this coming?

YouTube influencer, Ruby Franke and therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt gave ‘advice’ and ‘Truth’ and not ‘living in distortion’. Now, both have been charged of aggravated child abuse.

TW: severe child abuse. If this is triggering for you, please proceed with caution or skip this post entirely.

Family vlogger Ruby Franke and controversial therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt has been charged with child abuse.

The pair are behind life coach service, ConneXions, which is based in Utah.

On the 31 August, Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested at Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins.

Hildebrandt and Franke were charged with aggravated child abuse.

According to Title 76 of Utah’s Criminal Code, aggravated child abuse is committed when:

a. inflicts upon a child serious injury; or

b. having the care or custody of such child, causes or permits another to inflict serious injury upon a child.

Franke and Hildebrandt are being accused of starvation and torture.

Franke makes disturbing accusations

Have Franke or Hildebrandt expressed any remorse? Of course not!

In fact, Franke had the gall to accuse one of her children of abuse.

According to the New York Post, Franke accused one of her child of molesting siblings and accessing pornography… at three years old.

Let that sink in.

I’m not saying what she’s saying is true. However, if it was true, that’s a failure of adults around that child. That child was not protected. At worst, the child could have been abused. If it’s true, the child is still a victim.

(Surprise, surprise, Franke didn’t provide evidence for these claims).

Franke’s now ex – husband, Kevin has denied taking part in any abuse. However, he has defended Ruby’s troubling parenting style.

Did Jodi Hildebrandt radicalise Franke?

Some people have accused Hildebrandt of radicalising Franke through ConneXions. Commentators claim Hildebrandt is a cult leader.

However, anyone familiar with 8 Passengers YouTube channel could see that Franke was already sadistic.

Frankie’s abusive behaviour there for all to see

Like other commentators, I’ve decided not to list examples of Franke’s reprehensible behaviour on 8 Passengers.

Let’s just say that Franke’s past behaviour showed that she was cruel to her children; physically and emotionally. One could say that something like these horrible (alleged) crimes were somewhat predictable.

I don’t think Hildebrandt manipulated Franke to abuse her children. At least not without Franke’s permission.

I’m not saying that Hildebrandt is innocent. She is a reprehensible therapist and person. Her niece, Jessi (they/ them) has spoken about Hildebrandt’s troubling past behaviour.

In past videos, she has openly blamed survivors of abuse of ‘playing the victim’.

Hildebrandt has allegedly made unethical choices as a therapist, including breaching client confidentiality by exposing a client’s ‘pornography addiction’ to LDS bishops. Despite being temporarily suspended, as far as I know, Hildebrandt is still a licensed therapist in Utah.

Update: According to Yahoo News, two of Franke’s sisters have spoken out.

Hoellein addressed (capitalised on), Franke’s arrest on her channel. Unfortunately, the videos are self – focused, rather than seeking justice and healing for the children.

This exposes the darkest side of family vlogging and extreme parenting. I hope the children get the help they deserve.

If you’re in Australia and have found this distressing, you can contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 or your national emergency number.

Australia has a cost of living crisis. Here are two areas where it doesn’t have to exist

White and grey calculator withv '2023' on the screen
Image: Zerbor, iStock

Since the COVID pandemic and the Ukraine – Russia war, the world has gone through a cost of living crisis.

Australia is no exception.

Most people are worried about hikes in prices of electricity, fuel, food, etc. Last year, people around the world worried about Christmas spending. Adults even opted to go without gifts.

We’re more than half way into 2023, and cost of living is still a major issue.

Aside from utilities and food, Australians have other costs to worry about: HECS-HELP debt and mental health services.

Graduates find ot impossible to pay off university fees

I’ve written about struggles of university students in Australia. Parents who go to university find workplacement a hurdle that prevents them completing their degrees.

In May, Patrick Wright reported in ABC Everyday that students can’t beat inflation and pay their debt. Inflation has caused HECS-HELP fees to go up 7.1%. Last year, the inflation rate was 3.9%.

Vetenarian, Monica (no last name was printed), had A$80,000 HECS-HELP debt outstanding.

From the 1 June, Monica’s debt rose to over A$85,700.

Think about that. Vetinary students could face a HECS-HELP that can equal or exceed a house deposit!

Pf course, there are graduates that have managed to pay off their HECS-HELP debt. But it’s clear many are still struggling.

Australia’s mental health crisis continues

Silhouette of woman sitting in despair
Image: simpson33, iStock

I am so passionate about people being to access the mental health care they need.

Last year, I was furious at Labor Government’s lack of action when the Australian Psychology Society (APS) was calling for better and affordable access to services. This was after Labor reduced Better Access subsidised therapy sessions from twenty a year back to ten.

Therapy has become so expensive that people have had to choose between therapy and rent. Even psychologists have struggled to afford therapy.

The Australian Association of Psychologists has bern pleading to the Health Minister, Mark Butler again. They are calling for struggling parents with perinatal depression to be granted up to forty psychology sessions a year.

Rachel Lear told ABC about her struggles after the birth of her son, Charlie:

It was sheer exhaustion and tears I felt every day, trying to get my son to sleep at night, but when he was finally sleeping through, I couldn’t switch off or sleep.

In describing her declining mental health, Ms Lear recalled:

It was to the point that I was not wanting to go out… but I also felt so trapped being in my own house, and nagging thoughts were creeping up in my chest.

At the point of the ABC article, Lear only had two subsidised therapy sessions left for the year.

The Labor Government promised an extra A$26million into building more perinatal mental health services over the next four years.

This is weak. What good is more perinatal mental health services if people can’t afford them? Just lift the ten session cap!

Debt has become so normalised. The Labor Government hasn’t done nearly enough to offer relief. Surely fixing the Better Access Scheme and making university more affordable (if not free) would be a good start.

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Opinion/Commentary

Jenny Craig collapses in Australia and New Zealand

Image: CTRPhotos, iStock

Jenny Craig is in dire straits.

Last month, the ABC reported that Jenny Craig Australia and New Zealand went into voluntary administration. US Jenny Craig filed for bankruptcy a week earlier.

Vaughan Strawbridge, Kate Warwick and Joseph Hansell were appointed as voluntary administrators.

In a statement, FTI Consulting confirmed the appointment:

Despite undertakings to do so [this] has resulted in the directors of the Australian and New Zealand needing to appoint voluntary administrator.

At the time, Jenny Craig had eighty ‘weight management centres’. They had roughly 377 staff across Australia and New Zealand.

Jenny Craig Australia/ New Zealand goes under

Image: Jade Craven, iStock

Unfortunately, FTI Consulting’s efforts to find an administrator ultimately failed.

Last Wednesday, (7 June 2023, AEST) the ABC reported that Australia/ New Zealand’s operations will close.

FTI Consultants has confirmed the closure of Jenny Craig’s stores. They stated that employees will be made redundant:

Administrators have today advised all of the employees in Australia New Zealand (sic) that a sale of the business with the stores continuing to trade and staff continuing their employment is unachievable.

Despite fifteen parties expressing interest and even making non – binding offers, nothing came to fruition.

Administrators confirmed that Jenny Craig’s online business would be sold to healthcare start – up Eucalyptus.

Jenny Craig closed in the US in early May.

Jenny Craig’s origins and controversies

So, where did Jenny Craig start?

Jenny Craig began in 1983 by American husband – and – wife Genevieve (Jenny) and Sidney Craig. They started their company in Melbourne. They opened stores in the US two years later.

Jenny struggled to lose weight after having her second child. According to the website, Mrs Craig claimed she was working out at the gym alone, and realised that it “didn’t lead to long – term weight – loss” (spoil alert, neither does Jenny Craig or most weight – loss programs for most people).

Over the years, Jenny Craig has had many celebrities promote the company. They include comedian Magda Szubanski, Rebel Wilson, Mel B, Mariah Carey and the late Kirstie Alley. Jenny Craig paid them.

Unfortunately, Szubanski has publicly battled with her weight since being Jenny Craig’s ambassador.

The company attracted millions of customers. They provided their customers with custom menus to (supposedly) help them shed the weight.

In 2019, Jenny Craig was bought by H.I.G Capital. They employed 1.000 people, with 500 stores in the US and Canada.

What now for the weight – loss industry?

It’s no secret that a lot has changed since 1983. Weight loss programs and shows such The Biggest Loser has faced fierce scrutiny.

People are more aware of the potential negative effects of yoyo dieting. Instead, people have turned to two alternatives: body – positivity and Ozempic.

Celebrities like, singer/ flutist, Lizzo (real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson) is praised for embracing her body. The media, including the US’s Cosmopolitan has also embraced larger bodies by including plus – sized models on their cover.

However, people are still trying to lose weight. Most recently, news outlets has reported that celebrities have turned to diabetes drug, Ozempic. However, pharmacists have raised alarm over the trend, claiming that they are running out of the drug, leaving diabetes sufferers to go without.

It’s the end of Jenny Craig. And it may be the end of a chapter in the weight – loss industry. But, it’s not the end of the story.

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Opinion/Commentary

NDIS participants are exploited and their funds are being drained

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is repeatedly exploited by unethical providers.

This is outrageous.

On Tuesday (19 May), the ABC reported that National Disability Insurance Scheme participants in Victoria are being “kidnapped”, exploited and abused.

The Mental Health Legal Centre’s (MHLC) report found:

  • Participants are being “coaxed” into changing providers. The NDIS participants are often bribed with fast food, including McDonalds and KFC.
  • Unscrupolous providers are taking NDIS participants to “undisclosed” locations while draining their NDIS funds
  • Blind people have ‘signed’ contracts and emails. Meanwhile, scammers are draining their funds

People with intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses (psychosocial disabilities) living in support residential services (SRS) have been targeted the most.

SRS’s are privately run. They are (supposed to) provide support to elderly people.

NDIS is “here to stay”

Man in wheelchair doing dishes over kitchen sink
Image: AndreyPopov, iStock

NDIS Minister and former Prime Minister, Bill Shorten, addressed concerns. He told Melbourne reporters:

The NDIS is here to stay. It’s changing people’s lives. But there is no doubt that in the last number of years, the neglect and oversight of the system has seen vulnerable people with lucrative support packages fall through the cracks, and effectively be human trafficked.

Shorten informed reporters that fifty service providers have been referred to the National Disability Insurance Agency, NDIA), the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the Fraud Fusion Taskforce.

Providers should be the main focus. Not people with disabilities

In the past, I’ve been critical of the emphasis on NDIS recipients ‘rorting’ the the system. Usually, journalists offer no context or hard evidence. I’ve also been annoyed at how recipients are scrutinised about what NDIS participants should be afforded.

I don’t like how people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in particular, have been scapegoated. The emphasis has been whether autism is ‘severe’ enough to be accepted to the NDIS.

The issue with autism and ‘severity’ argument is that it doesn’t take into account people’s internal (and often invisible), struggles.

According to Autism Research Institute, a high percentage of people with ASD have comorbid conditions. 84% experience anxiety and 26% experience depression.

Could being scapegoated by society contribute to these statistics?

The unethical conduct of service providers should have always been the focus of politicians and the media. Not who should have access to services. Or how ‘severe’ a disability should be.

On another note, I wonder if One Nation will make a satirical cartoon targeting dodgy providers. Or do they just punch down?

Last month, One Nation was condemned for a cartoon satirising people who ‘rort’ the NDIS. Will they do they same for fraudulent providers?

Lastly, I commend Mr Shorten for his dedication to the NDIS and to make sure it keeps going. People should be able to get the support they need!

If this post has been distressing for you and your in Australia, you can contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 (they also have a webchat).

Headspace (for under 25’s): 1800 650 890.

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Opinion/Commentary

ABC slammed for coronation coverage

Image: Anna Bliokh, iStock

Earlier this month, ABC was widely condemned for their coverage of King Charles III ‘s Coronation.

The Australian’s Sophie Elsworth and James Madden reported that it was condemned by a number radio personalities.

3AW’s Neil Mitchell said that the ABC of “totally misread the room”. Mitchell also called for ABC’s management to be held accountable.

I really wonder sometimes why we feed these ABC people. I don’t blame the people on air, it’s whomever management decides ‘ah, here’s a good idea, let’s use footage from London while we bag the living daylights out of the monarchy.

2GB’s Ray Hadley condemned the coverage:

They had a token person who represents the monarchy… and then we had the line-up of people wanting to give it, it’s just not a platform for it, there’s no dignity attached to it.

Herald Sun/Outsiders’ Rita Panahi condemned the ABC coverage “nasty” and “spiteful”.

The ABC charter

Many critics of the ABC refer to their Charter. ABC’s Charter requires its presenters to make clear distinctions between reporting and opinion. It also requires reporters to:

Ensure that editorial decisions are not improperly influenced by political, sectional, commercial or personal interests.

Differentiating between factual reporting, analysis and opinion – Key Editorial Standards, 1.3

Also ABC are meant to:

Present a diversity of perspectives so that over time, no significant strand of thought or belief within the community is knowingly excluded or disproportionally represented.

Differentiating between factual reporting, analysis and opinion, Key Editorial Standards, 4.2

The ABC should reflect the diversity within the Australian population. It’s meant to be “our”, (i.e Australia’s) ABC. However, the public broadcaster is frequently accused of bias. Their coverage of King Charles III was no different.

Presenters focused on British colonisation, people suspected they were pushing the republic debate.

Grant’s take on Queen Elizabeth’s death

King Charles III’s coronation wasn’t the first time Grant had criticised the monarchy.

When Queen Elizabeth II passed away last September, Grant lashed out at his employer for their coverage. He told Radio National’s Patricia Karvelas:

How dare the Queen just die and this country go into mourning, what about my own people who continue to be the most impoverished and imprisoned people.

I felt in my own organisation… a sense of betrayal because the ABC, everyone donned black suits, everyone took on a reverential tone

Stan Grant to Patricia Karvelas, 19 April 2022

He also slammed Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:

We know that the Prime Minister said, ‘now is not the time to talk about empire and colonisation, this is not the time to talk about the republic’, well it is always the time.

Stan Grant to Patricia Karvelas, Radio National 19 April 2022

ABC is biased, but people should also be able to have their own views

The bias of the ABC is obvious. Their reporters and commentators tend to have similar social and political views.

They’re guests aren’t much different.

Often, panels on shows like Q & A and The Drum predominately lean one way. One panellist may offer a different view, but not surprisingly, they are often howled down.

Update: According to Rita Panahi, ABC a thousand complaints for their coverage of the coronation. This sparked an internal investigation into whether commentators abided by their reporting and editorial standards.

Another update: Stan Grant stood down from hosting Q & A and other commitments. News.com.au reported the reason was the backlash against Grant’s coronation coverage brought on by “grotesque” raciat abuse.

This is so wrong. And it seems to hapoen when someone is excessively shamed in the media.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Rent or therapy: the choice Australians shouldn’t have to make

Human hands unraveling red threads on human head, representing the human brain
Image: Ildar Abulkhanov, iStock

This is horrible.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, provisional psychologist, Emily Radford has clients that have to choose between paying for therapy or paying rent. Radford is a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider. However, they have clients that pay out of pocket.

Radford offers same services to both sets of clients:

Radford’s rate is A$156.00 a session. Provisional psychologists aren’t covered under Medicare. Meaning, clients have to pay full fee unless they have private insurance.

Psychologists push for reform

Cropped shot of psychologist with a long sleeved blue shirt taking notes and talking to client
Image: PeopleImages, iStock

Psychologists are pushing for reform. Two psychological bodies are pushing the Labor Government to allow provisional psychologists to be covered under Medicare. This will increase the workforce by 8,000.

However, many argue that this will further burden the Medicare system. Instead, the Government should invest in higher education pathways and incentives for students to work in regional areas.

Some commenters claimed that covering provisional psychologists under Medicare is a bad idea. As someone who isn’t in the mental health field, I found some of these comments to the SMH article insightful.

One wrote:

I am a clinical psychologist and supervisor of trainees (provisional psychologists). The vast majority of trainees are not ready to provide services to the standard required by Medicare. They also require very close supervision and we currently have a shortage of supervisors.

BD, comment to SMH, 17 April 2023

One comment suggested a change to psychology training requirements.

I’m in the profession and the idea of Medicare subsidising trainees is a big mistake. “The government would be better off putting more money into the training system to enhance the workforce” – totally agree with that. Also, the professional body itself makes it very difficult for people who have studied for years to become an actual Psychologist – generalist undergraduate degrees, minimum masters that are impossible to get into or alternative pathways that have insanely complex requirements, and then the more recent cash cow hurdle of to do an [sic] paper exam to enter into the profession.

AP from Melb, comment to SMH, 19 April 2023

What Labor plans to do

Stupidly, the Labor cut Medicare Better Access sessions from twenty to 10 last year.

Federal Health Minister, Butler, says he wants mental health care to be more accessible. However, Labor have no policy to reform it.

What can be done?

Before working on this post, my response was simple — take a leaf out of UK’s book. Mental health services should be fully covered Medicare. (Mental health under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been a disaster).

However, I realise this view is over idealistic. It looks like the training process for potential psychologists needs an overhaul. To be honest, it seems like a nightmare.

Red tape needs be cut in training psychologists. It shouldn’t be “impossible” to do a Masters or alternative pathway. Then maybe -— just maybe — psychologists might be more accessible. And, who knows, they may become properly covered under Medicare.

What do you think? How can mental health services improve? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Pauline Hanson condemned for NDIS cartoon

On Good Friday, One Nation’s Pauline Hanson YouTube channel Please Explain caused a stir. It mocked the (supposed) ‘rorts’ that have occurred in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

In the cartoon, characters refer to the NDIS as a “scam” and “rort”. It contains parodies of Coalition leader, Peter Dutton, Deputy Leader, Sussan Ley and Greens’ Jordon Steele – John, who is the first Australian senator who uses a wheelchair.

Here is the video:

In the video description, Hanson defends the cartoon:

We all know that Labor loves to spend your money like it’s going out of fashion but they have taken it to a new level with the NDIS.

While a National Disability Insurance Scheme to protect the most vulnerable sounds giood on paper the reality is the NDIS has become a scandal – plagued, scam-riddled, budget disaster.

Disability advocates condemn the video

Not surprisingly, disability advocates have condemned the video. People With Disability Australia (PWDA) and Advocacy For Inclusion (AFI) called the video “repugnant, hateful and discriminatory”.

The insensitive cruelty of this propaganda by the Hanson team stoops to new lows, with its offensive, inappropriate and inaccurate depictions of disability supports under the NDIS.

PWDA President, Nicole Lee

Wheelchair paralympian, Kurt Fearnley took to Twitter, saying he was “ashamed” for Australia to have One Nation.

Head of Policy at AFI and NDIS campaigner, Craig Wallace, echoed Lee’s condemnation:

The video inspires hatred against disabled people and is a particularly nasty and vile depiction of the lives of highly vulnerable people with a disability… it should be roundly condemned by all decent Australians, including our national leaders.

Another issue that Wallace had was the reference to the NDIS as a scam. He argued that people with disabilities were more likely to be a victim of a scam, rather than a perpetrator.

PWDA and AFI have requested that the video be removed and for Pauline Hanson to publicly apologise to the audience.

History of demonising the NDIS

One Nation aren’t the only ones who’ve demonised the NDIS. I’ve been very critical of Herald Sun’s reporting on the NDIS. I argued that the article gave no context in why items like iPads were needed.

Newscorp journalists have made outrageous claims of ways people were supposedly exploiting the NDIS.

In 2017, columnist Andrew Bolt claimed that gardeners were employed by families whose children were on the autism spectrum. There was no mention of severity, whether they were non – verbal, psychological challenges the children faced. Nothing.

I believe the demonisation of the NDIS, especially so vaguely, is dangerous.

In 2020, David Harris, then fifty – five, died after his NDIS funding was cut off. His sister, Leanne Longfellow, raised the alarm when she couldn’t get in contact with him. New South Wales Police later found him deceased in his home.

Before his funding was cut, Harris had a nurse to administer injections to treat his schizophrenia and diabetes. He also had a gardener and cleaner, who he lost after his funds were cut.

In 2018, Tim Rubenach died while waiting for for a tilt bed to help his severe epilepsy. It didn’t arrive, even after Rubenach had passed away.

I could go on and cite more cases, but you get the point.

The video is potentially dangerous

It’s clear the Pauline Hanson Please Explain video was satire and hyperbolic. However, it is potentially dangerous.

Demonising the NDIS and those on it risks funding being seriously slashed. People who need assistance will miss out again. And I fear people will die waiting again.

If someone is genuinely rorting the NDIS, prosecute them. If a NDIS provider is rorting the system, prosecute them. But leave the rest of the participants and providers alone.

For people on the NDIS, the services are essential. It gives them a level of control and independence. It allows people to live a life that most people take for granted. This shouldn’t be taken away because of fear – mongering.

What do you think about the Pauline Hanson Please Explain cartoon? Feel free to leave any thoughts below.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Record number of principals quit after facing violence

Multiracial male principal in blue jacket, white shirt and name tag around neck. He's standing outside hos school.
Image: JohnnyGreig, iStock

School principals in Australia are being pushed to breaking point.

According to The Australian, a recent survey of 2500 school leaders showed, at minimum, 44% of principals have said they’ve faced physical violence in 2022.

This is the highest rate recorded since the Australian Catholic University started the survey in 2011.

Principals are at high risk of violence — 11 times more than the general population.

In response, Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare stated:

You can see the impact of this in teachers and principals leaving the profession early, burnt out and worn out.

ACU investigator and former principal, Paul Kidson condemned violence towards teachers and principals. He also suggested a cut to unnecessary red tape and paper work.

Violence balloons since the pandemic

Male student pushing another male student into a school locker
Image: P. Wei, iStock

The pandemic has exacerbated rates of violence and mental illness among students. A female principal from Western Australia said:

I am now dealing with high levels of playground violence, high rates of severe mental health, violence against teachers and parents who can’t accept their child being reprimanded or punished when their child had engaged in violence in a school.

Mental health is collapsing

Brief trigger warning: self harm and suicide. If this is triggering, feel free to skip this section or stopvreading the post altogether.

Principals are seeing an alarming rate of collapsing mental health of students. Principals report high rates of anxiety, ‘school refusal’, vaping, self – harm and suicidal ideation.

The mental health of principals is also a concern. They face high rates of stress and burnout.

As a whole, society needs to respect teachers more

I have thought this for years. How can we expect students to respect teachers when society doesn’t?

The media constantly attack teachers over NAPLAN results. They are constantly accused of ‘indoctrination’. The Australian Education Union is constantly slammed when they protest for a higher pay for teachers.

Are teachers perfect? Of course not! No one is. But, I truly think we as a society need to get off teachers’ backs.

During the pandemic, there should have been less screaming at teachers and more appreciation. They were just following guidelines. Most were doing what they thought was right for their students.

Same story, different day

The media reports again and again on the struggles of teachers and early childhood educators. Yet, nothing changes.

First, mental health care needs to be free, at least for those with severe mental illnesses. Australia’s Better Access is inadequate.

Second, we need more school counsellors and/ or social workers. It’s clear that too many children aren’t getting the help they need.

Teacher shortage a concern

If nothing changes, there will be a teacher shortage. As a result, many students of all years, may miss out on fundamental learning and experiences. Many will miss out on developing an essential bond with their teacher.

Do we really want that? Do we want children to be lost in the crowd because of teacher shortages? Enough’s enough. Society needs to have higher regard for teachers.

Note to the State governments: you get off teachers ‘ backs! Cut the red tape! How often do you have to be told?! Teachers are there to teach and nurture their students. Not do endless paperwork.

If this post has brought up issues, you can contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636. They also have a webchat.