Latest news with #NDIS
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Adelaide man Tyson Hubbard jailed for domestic violence against woman living with disability
A young man who perpetrated an "absolute horror" four-month regime of physical, controlling and manipulative domestic violence has been handed a more than seven year sentence. Warning: This story may be distressing to some readers. Tyson Hubbard was 25 when he was in a relationship "characterised by regular physical violence and threats" with a woman living with a disability. In sentencing, South Australian District Court Judge Liesl Kudelka said it was "really concerning" someone of Hubbard's young age had perpetrated such violence against a partner. If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0 "You controlled her finances by taking control of her bank accounts and bank cards," she said. "You used her money for your own purposes and would not allow her to access her NDIS funding. "You prevented her from attending her necessary medical appointments which were required for the management of her disability." Judge Kudelka said Hubbard had also changed the settings on her mobile phone so only he could access it. "This prevented her from being able to contact her family and friends," she said. "You restricted her from leaving the house without you." Judge Kudelka said it was against that background of control that Hubbard also inflicted violence and other demeaning acts against the woman, who is an NDIS recipient requiring ongoing medical treatment. On one occasion the judge said she was assaulted after he accused her of being unfaithful and when she sought treatment, he made her lie about what happened. "Medical advice was that she get a CT scan, but it did not happen because you prevented her from obtaining further medical care," Judge Kudelka said. She said other incidents included Hubbard telling the woman to say goodbye to her pets, driving her down an unknown dark road and telling her to run as he brandished a "large kitchen knife". On the final occasion of physical violence, the judge said Hubbard dragged the woman by her hair, kicked her rib cage and pushed her head into a mirror. "Eventually, she was trying to sleep on the floor in the lounge room, but you continued to punch her in the forehead another 40-50 times," Judge Kudelka said. At hospital, the woman initially lied about her injuries, before revealing the truth. Her injuries included severe facial and "extensive" neck swelling with blood clots, multiple rib fractures and blood clots to her right ear which needed specialist intervention. While in hospital, she said Hubbard continued to send her "manipulative and controlling messages". In her remarks, Judge Kudelka said she had detailed each of the incidents so that Hubbard could "listen very carefully to the absolute horror" he had inflicted. Hubbard pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated causing harm with intent and four counts of aggravated assault. Judge Kudelka said the woman had delivered a "very powerful" victim impact statement to the court. "She describes that it is not just a physical attack, it is an assault upon her sense of self, her security and her dignity," she said. "She says during the relationship, she was stripped of her autonomy, her voice and her right to feel safe in her own body and space. "She is obviously a very brave and courageous young woman. "Despite the pain and trauma, she says that she is determined to reclaim her life and refuses to let the actions of what you have done define her future." Judge Kudelka said domestic violence was "now recognised as the epidemic that it has always been in our community". "The harm that is caused, largely to women by men, is serious and far-reaching," she said. The judge acknowledged Hubbard, who she said was abandoned by his mother at a young age, had apologised and demonstrated some insight into his offending. Judge Kudelka jailed Hubbard for seven years, four months and 28 days and set a non-parole period of four-and-a-half years to allow him to spend a "significant period" under supervision while on parole. The sentence was backdated to April last year.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Treasurer opens door to tax debate, saying everything is on the table at productivity roundtable
Jim Chalmers will throw open the door to a wider debate on potential tax changes at the government's economic reform summit in August as the treasurer hangs a lantern on Labor's "obligation to work out what comes next". Seeking a fresh political approach to making policy changes — amid growing questions about what the government plans to do with its thumping May 3 electoral mandate — Mr Chalmers will urge people to feel emboldened about proposing new tax reform ideas. "I expect, I anticipate, I welcome tax being an important part of the conversation," Mr Chalmers told reporters on Tuesday, ahead of an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday during which he will flesh out the government's planned "productivity roundtable". The treasurer said it "would be hard" to address the government's stated goals of making the economy more productive, returning the federal budget to a sustainable footing, and boosting economic resilience "without people raising their ideas when it comes to tax". Business groups have welcomed the roundtable opportunity, but expressed some scepticism with a belief that last term's "jobs and skills summit" became dominated by unions. It is not yet clear whether the opposition has been invited. Mr Chalmers will warn that while the government took "meaningful action" last term on structural pressures in the budget, such as in the NDIS and aged care, the job was not finished, and pressures on the budget were intensifying rather than easing. The government has a wide range of potential tax reforms open to it, having not ruled out changes on personal tax, company tax, or in areas such as electric vehicle taxes, where Labor has already indicated it will do more policy work. Participants to the roundtable, which will take place in the cabinet room in the second half of August, will be free to raise whatever ideas and concerns they have and will not be subject to non-disclosure agreements, the ABC understands. The roundtable is expected to be a number of sessions focused around the three priorities of productivity, budget "sustainability" and economic resilience, with each session including a small number of attendees. Mr Chalmers will tell the press club that people should not assume that "extreme volatility" around the world is temporary, and that it "reflects deeper currents". "So much of the democratic world is vulnerable because governments are not always meeting the aspirations of working people," he will say. "We have a responsibility here and an obligation. "A responsibility to rebuild confidence in liberal democratic politics and economic institutions — by lifting living standards for working people in particular "And an obligation to future generations to deliver a better standard of living than we enjoy today." After a first term dominated by inflation shocks, which led to a leap in interest rates and a squeeze on living standards, Mr Chalmers is pushing to make the government's second term about productivity reform. The press club speech follows a similar address by the prime minister last week, in which he announced the planned productivity gathering, due to include unions, businesses and interest groups. Mr Chalmers will say that the government aims to deliver on its housing and energy election promises but that these are "not the limits of our ambitions". "They're a foundation not a definition. "We have a mandate to deliver the policies and plans we took to the election, and a duty to build on them. "And the best way to work out what's next is together."
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Who was Pheobe Bishop? Know about a 17-year-old Australian teenager whose remains found in bushland after she vanished on her way to Bundaberg Airport
Know about Pheobe Bishop: Police have confirmed that the human remains discovered near Good Night Scrub National Park belong to 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop, who vanished on May 15 after never boarding her flight from Bundaberg Airport. The tragic identification follows the arrest of her housemates, James Wood (34) and Tanika Bromley (33), on June 5—they now face murder and corpse interference charges. Found on June 6, the remains bring a sorrowful resolution to a month-long search that gripped the Queensland community. While grief continues in Gin Gin and Bundaberg, investigators are still piecing together the final days of Pheobe's life and seeking any details tied to a grey Hyundai ix35 seen in the area. Who was Pheobe Bishop? In order to receive NDIS support services, 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop, an Australian girl from New South Wales, moved to Gin Gin in rural Queensland. Family members characterized Pheobe as "strong-willed" and having a "gypsy soul." She was well-known for her artistic energy, sharing TikTok material commonly and cherishing her dream of becoming a photographer. Her housemates, Tanika Bromley (33) and James Wood (34), are accused of dropping her off at Bundaberg Regional Airport on May 15, 2025, so she could board a flight to Western Australia. She never did, however, boarded, and later, CCTV evidence revealed that she never set foot in the terminal. A significant police search followed her disappearance. Wood and Bromley were taken into custody on June 5 and accused of murder and messing with a corpse. The following day, forensic tests verified the discovery of human remains thought to be Pheobe's near Good Night Scrub National Park. Court procedures are set for August, and the case is still being investigated. Human remains confirmed as missing teenager Pheobe Bishop Police have formally confirmed that the human remains discovered near Good Night Scrub National Park on 6 June belong to 17‑year‑old Pheobe Bishop, who went missing on 15 May after reportedly being dropped at Bundaberg airport. Discovery and forensic confirmation Queensland Police located the remains across bushland north of Brisbane, not far from the original search area. Preliminary tests have deemed them human, with further forensic work underway to complete identification and support legal proceedings. Arrests and charges On 5 June, Pheobe's two housemates – James Wood (34) and Tanika Bromley (33) – were arrested and charged with murder and interfering with a corpse. Both remain in custody ahead of their next court hearing in August. Incident timeline Pheobe Bishop disappeared on 15 May, last seen near Bundaberg airport carrying luggage. Phone and dashcam data later implicated a grey Hyundai ix35 seen around Gin Gin. Police believe her body may have been moved within the Good Night Scrub area before the arrival of search teams. Community mourning and response The tight-knit communities of Gin Gin and Bundaberg have rallied around Pheobe's family, laying floral tributes at her home and holding candlelit vigils. Local leaders have emphasized the importance of unity and support at this time. Next steps in investigations Police continue to conduct ground searches for additional evidence and appeal for anyone with information—especially related to the Hyundai ix35—to come forward. Investigators are also gathering telecommunications and forensic data to strengthen their case.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Fiery exchange over ‘harshest' reforms
NSW's nominal insurer is 'plunging further into insolvency' by more than $6m a day the state's Treasurer has revealed, as Labor's controversial workers compensation reforms face another round of public inquiry. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey revealed during an heated parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday that icare was tipped to rise from a deficit of $4.9bn at the end of 2024 to $6bn on July 1 absent reform. 'The nominal insurer is likely to hold $0.78 in assets for every dollar of future liability, meaning it is plunging further into insolvency at a faster rate,' Mr Mookhey said. 'Or, to put it even more simply, the scheme is no longer going backwards by $5m per day, it is going backwards by more than $6m every day.' The state government's plan to reform workers compensation in NSW hit a major hurdle earlier this month when a strange coalition of the Liberals, Greens and the independents joined together to force another public inquiry. The Liberals have proposed a number of amendments to the Bill, namely staying the lifting of the threshold of permanent whole person impairment (WPI) for psychological injury, and have called on the government to provide costings. After hours of hearings, sparks immediately flew over modelling for the amendments between opposition treasury spokesman Damien Tudehope and Mr Mookhey who said 'the government is co-operating with this inquiry'. Mr Mookhey and Mr Tudehope clashed again over the WPI, which Labor proposes lifting to 30 per cent. The Opposition claims doing so would harm workers injured psychologically to such an extent they may never work again. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey defended the Bill in a heated exchange. NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia NSW Treasury Secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter earlier told the committee there was a 'well developed pathway' for those people who, once completing their 130 weeks of payments, would instead transition to the NDIS scheme. Labor claims the changes would not only help reduce the burden on the beleaguered state self-insurer, but would also allow injured workers access to lump sum payments should they wish, instead of remaining on compensation. It was over the WPI that Mr Mookhey faced his second heated argument, this time with Greens MLC Abigail Boyd who asked if he knew the change 'would make us the harshest jurisdiction in Australia and one of the harshest in the world'. Mr Mookhey said he didn't 'accept the characterisation'. He claimed that at 130 weeks, 88 per cent of psychologically injured workers were back at work and accused Ms Boyd of being 'deliberately misleading' in claiming it would cut off '90 something per cent of people' currently on the scheme. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Michael Epstein told the committee earlier on Tuesday afternoon that in comparison with other states, NSW's lifting of the WPI to 30 per cent would make it the 'harshest' in the country. 'NSW is going to take the crown,' Dr Epstein said. Ms Boyd went on to summarise the evidence presented to the committee in three ways: she disputed the projected $2.5bn cost to the self-insurer, said there was 'no imminent danger of scheme collapse', and that the proposed WPI threshold was 'unbearably cruel'. 'I'll just make the point, you're entitled to vote against the legislation,' Mr Mookhey said in reply. Opposition treasury spokesman Damien Tudehope (centre) with Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, left. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Boyd went on to accused Mr Mookhey of using 'misleading language' in referring to payments made by the state government to the self-insurer as a 'bail out', and asked him to 'admit you were wrong'. In response, Mr Mookhey said: 'No'. Following the heated exchange, Ms Boyd said: 'I think we need a bit of a lie down now'. A range of practising psychiatrists, insurance industry representatives and leaders from NSW Treasury and the nominal insurer, icare, gave evidence during the hours-long hearing on Tuesday. Mr Mookhey has warned the state self-insurer is tipped to cost the budget $2.6bn over the next five years, while premiums for the nominal insurer have already been set for eight-per-cent for the next financial year. Exactly how the state government will deliver savings through the scheme was under the spotlight during the hearing, with leaders from NSW Treasury and the nominal insurer grilled over costings for the proposed amendments. Largely, though, the numbers were not available. Asked about the government's return to work strategy, Mr Coutts-Trotter said some 3500 people were on the scheme with a $60m saving, with Mr Tudehope asking: 'Wouldn't you give this program a chance to operate before you actually embarked upon removing benefits?'
ABC News
4 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Tip shop makes change after parents address sale of kids' disability equipment
When Bridget Lockley and her partner saw their local tip shop selling an adaptive children's bike, what could have been an opportunity instead left them outraged. The bike was priced at $500. The same store was also selling a children's high-low chair without cushions for $1,500. Ms Lockley said bikes for those without specialised needs were typically about $25 at the store. One of Ms Lockley's daughters has a rare gene change causing multiple diagnoses. She said her daughter requires a lot of different equipment, listing a walking frame, adapted bike, specialised seating, self-care equipment, standing frame, change table, shower equipment and a high-low bed as some of the items needed. While she said navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) could be "stressful", it had helped her family overcome barriers by covering expenses and providing essential supports. Prior to the NDIS, equipment could be accessed locally through TasEquip's loan system, but this changed when the NDIS began and took over government disability funding. Ms Lockley felt things were easier with TasEquip, saying they often deal with lengthy processes involving a range of trials, assessments and reports. Her friend, Lauren Miller, agreed, saying it took nearly two years to receive a powered wheelchair for her daughter, and while she began the application process in advance — it still became "urgent" as her daughter grew out of her existing wheelchair. With others struggling to access the NDIS, Ms Lockley said there are likely people going without the support they need — and the store was sending the wrong message to the community. If her own daughter saw it, she said "it could make her feel like her needs are less valued than her sisters',". Ms Miller and Ms Lockley are among parents who disagree with supports usually covered by the NDIS being onsold without proper understanding of the items. "Pricing them so highly puts them completely out of reach for the very families who rely on community resources like [the tip] shop to bridge critical gaps in access and funding." Ms Lockley wrote to the tip shop to voice her concerns and said a positive outcome followed. Belinda Hazel, from Hobart's Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station, which was selling the bike and high-low chair, said "it certainly wasn't intentional" and her team had gone through normal pricing processes but were unaware of the extra considerations for disability equipment. "When we get different types of items in, we do research to see what those items may be priced on the second-hand market," Ms Hazel said. Ms Hazel said she contacted a local disability service provider and ended up donating the equipment, saying this would be the process from now. The provider would also assess the item for safety and quality. "If we ever get an item like that coming in, we'll reach out to that service provider and have them come up [to the store], and if it's something that a client could use, then they will take that item. "And if it's something that they're not able to use, then they will work with us to price that accordingly to what they think would be meeting a client's expectations." For Ms Lockley, it's a welcome outcome. Assistive Technologies Suppliers Australia, which represents suppliers and advocates for better access, said the Therapeutic Goods Administration regulated some disability equipment. "Having the TGA ensure that equipment that's coming in is tested is ensured that it's OK safety-wise, that it's actually running at the right speeds, means that everyone is safe when they're using that equipment," Serena Ovens, the industry body's chief executive said. But she said while there were "reasonable marketplaces out there", buying equipment from "de-regulated" markets wasn't without risk. "People could be being sold something that is not appropriate for use, that possibly hasn't been tested for them to ensure that they even fit the device, that it's safe for them, that it's not actually going to cause more damage." Tammy Milne, director of Physical Disability Australia and Disability Voices, said safety and quality was not guaranteed on disability equipment sold outside the NDIS or other disability-tailored outlets. "In my opinion, tip shops and charity shops should not be selling the stuff at all," she said. "Who tests them for workability and safety?" she questioned. Along with Ms Milne, they called for the return of a hire system like TasEquip, which they could use for urgent equipment needs and also selling or donating their own items once they were no longer needed. The National Disability Insurance Agency said there has been "considerable progress over the past years in reducing wait times for participants, even as the NDIS continues to grow". "The Agency has implemented several new processes to improve the participant experience for those with Assistive Technology (AT) needs, including improving quick access to low and mid-cost AT," a spokesperson said.
