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El Gibbs

@bluntshovels.bsky.social
3.3K followers 1.3K following 1.7K posts

Grumpy optimist. Writes about the NDIS and disability. Wiradjuri country bluntshovels.au

PostsRepliesMedia
El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
technical advisory group for new NDIS access tool is out - overwhelmingly medical with focus on children. little disability expertise, or assessment knowledge, or expertise about adult support needs. yay. www.health.gov.au/ministers/th...
health.gov.au
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Jessie L @jessielilley.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Everything about this story is desperately sad. Every day in Gaza. Every day.
theguardian.com
Aid worker who organised World Cup screenings in Gaza killed in Israeli strike
Mohamed al-Wahidi died when a missile struck his taxi shortly before Egypt played Argentina in their last 16 match
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Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Powerful read from Amy McQuire #NAIDOCWeek
blackwitness.com
One Nation is not new or unprecedented. It is a product of Queensland's specific brand of anti-Indigenous racism
Even weeds need specific conditions to grow, and it just so happens that One Nation thrives particularly well in the blood-soaked soil of Queensland.
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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Read my latest:
thehandbasket.co
We didn’t need a rape accusation to know Graham Platner was unfit
Despite months of red flags, his allies insisted he was the vision of positive masculinity the party needed.
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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Extreme high temperatures double young people’s risk of mental health admissions, Australian research shows www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Extreme high temperatures double young people’s risk of mental health admissions, Australian research shows
Exclusive University of Sydney research shows heat-related hospital admissions to increase by at least 6% by the end of the century
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
these recommendations are wholly inadequate to the scale of exploitation the committee heard, and yet, go further than the amends from yesterday to the NDIS Bill www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07... www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
abc.net.au
NDIS fraud 'gaps remain open' as integrity report handed down
A Labor-led parliamentary inquiry into fraud in the NDIS has made 12 recommendations to improve the integrity of the scheme.
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Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 01/07/2026
NEW BLOG FOR YOU Google's energy consumption numbers in their new climate report are mind-blowing. 2 years ago they flipped from linear to exponential growth, and their climate impact is blowing out, too. A WILD testament to the obscene bloat and waste of GenAI: ketanjoshi.co/2026/07/01/g...
a chart showing google's rising energy consumption - huge, and rising faster than ever beforea chart showing google's rising energy consumption - huge, and rising faster than ever beforea chart showing google's rising energy consumption - huge, and rising faster than ever beforeGoogle's total energy consumption more than new zealand
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
catching up on the NDIS bill amendments in the House yesterday, and spotted a significant watering down of plan manager conflicts of interest provisions www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
aph.gov.au
Hansard Display
Hansard Display
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
indeed. from the excellent Chris "Minister Mark Butler used fraud-themed words like “shonk”, “dodgy”, “rort” and “crime” a total of 23 times in his Press Club speech. No such words appear when the Treasurer talks at the Press Club about tax." thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au
Business tax fraud is worse than NDIS fraud. Disabled people are paying the price
The Albanese Government wants to make huge changes to the NDIS in the name of fixing fraud, however, only a small fraction of savings are expected to come from targeting fraud. So, while everyone has ...
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Liam Thatcher @lthat.ch · 01/07/2026
NDIS Bill before the house now, will try and keep the thread updated between other work!
youtube.com
House of Representatives | 01/07/2026
YouTube video by Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Imagine if hundreds of people died in hurricane or floods smashing through Europe Heatwaves have already killed that many ppl. They are a silent killer in that they dont generate outrage or fear. Hope this by @economist.com helps save lives as Europeans wake up to danger bsky.app/profile/eate...
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Rachel DL @racheldl.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Thanks @mileswgriffis.bsky.social @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social for working with me on this!
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Josh Taylor @joshtaylor.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
So many of them. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Pro-One Nation Facebook groups appear to be run by foreign ‘meme factories’ that monetise content
Exclusive: Guardian analysis suggests several groups with thousands of members run by what expert calls ‘engagement farm’ operations in south-east Asia
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Ioana Cerasella Chis @cerasellachis.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Here and There, Then and Now: Disability Studies at the End of the World Call for Papers for the 2027 SDS Conference - put together by the fabulous Conference & Events Committee Deadline for submissions: September 20, 2026 Conference: 23 & 24 April 2027 sites.google.com/disstudies.o...
HERE AND THERE,
THEN AND NOW:

DISABILITY STUDIES AT
THE END OF THE WORLD

Friday,April23andSaturday,April24,2027

CallforpapersopenNOWtoSeptember20,2026

ASLandCARTforalllivesessions

Moreinformationonourwebsite:
Sites.Google.com/DisStudies.org/SDSConference27
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Gabrielle Peters @mssinenomine.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
A Q&A with Dr. Jennifer Baumbusch on the anniversary of the deadly 2021 BC heat dome about her memories, lessons learned and her research on heat. substack.com/@mssinenomin...
substack.com
Heat Beat: Q&A With Dr. Jennifer Baumbusch on the Anniversary of the Heat Dome
This is the first in a series of posts about heat and the five year anniversary of the BC heat dome.
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mr dog @firstdogonthemoon.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
A libellous sham or a monstrous truth that the worst of humanity rush to deny. A cartoon... www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The state of Israel vs the children of Gaza | First Dog on the Moon
A United Nations inquiry tells us Israel continues to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children
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Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) @wwda-au.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
#WWDA is deeply concerned that the Senate Committee’s interim report recommends the #NDIS Reform Bill be passed without requiring any real or substantive changes. No one should lose supports under the NDIS, until alternatives are available, fully funded and tested. Read more: buff.ly/vLKDa7r
[Image description: This tile has a blue to purple gradient background. Text reads: "Media Statement: WWDA says NDIS Bill should not pass as it stands. Women With Disabilities Australia".]
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💜 phonakins 🍉🌲 @phonakins.com · 24/06/2026
"But the boarding house was found to be financially unviable under the Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), returning a rental yield of 2.75 per cent." this is why it needs to be PUBLIC housing because housing is a service and a right and doesn't need to turn a profit
abc.net.au
Successful appeals pave way for Sydney boarding house to become luxury homes
A rundown boarding house which was once a haven for vulnerable people in inner Sydney is set to be converted into luxury apartments.
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Tim Baxter @timinclimate.naruresearch.com.au · 22/06/2026
🚨On Monday July 27 at 2pm AEST, every phone in Australia will get very loud. 🚨 If you are vulnerable, with a phone as part of your escape plan, please make sure that you take steps to protect yourself. If you aren't vulnerable, please help get the word out to protect those who are.
ausalert.gov.au
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💜 phonakins 🍉🌲 @phonakins.com · 22/06/2026
Cheyanne features in a mini-documentary alongside Jesse, which will be screened at parliament at an event with additional speakers from the @antipovertycentre.org, Anglicare Australia and Economic Justice Australia. Watch the doco here:
youtube.com
No room to breathe: Centrelink's welfare compliance regime
YouTube video by Antipoverty Centre
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💜 phonakins 🍉🌲 @phonakins.com · 22/06/2026
Today Cheyanne, a young woman from Ballarat who relies on the JobSeeker payment, is going to parliament to share her journey with “mutual” obligations and call on politicians to end the harm caused by more than 2.5 million Centrelink penalties issued each year to people with compulsory activities.
apcentre.substack.com
JobSeeker recipient comes to parliament sharing her journey to reveal abuse of welfare compliance rules
Cheyanne, a young woman from Ballarat, used FOI to access personal records to demonstrate abuse of rules by employment services
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Melissa @artistaffame.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Here is my big news myself and 9 others have made a complaint to the UN that the Australian government is not doing enough to protect citizens from climate change www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Trapped by floods and fearing death in the heat: the Australians taking legal action over the climate crisis
Ten people affected in different ways by extreme weather are taking a case against the federal government to the UN
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ABC News Australia @news.abc.net.au · 20/06/2026
Coroner finds decades-old investigation marred by 'pervasive' racism
abc.net.au
Racism, bias led to 'superficial investigation' of teen's death
NSW Coroner's Court has found racial attitudes played a central role in the police investigation into Mark Haines's death 38 years ago. 
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
absolutely right “I need the NDIS to finish. It is not their money.” Dane Waites www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Dane’s payout for historical sexual abuse meant the NDIS slashed his funding. He and his mum are fighting back
Dane Waites lives with profound autism, a severe intellectual disability and bipolar disorder. His support plan was cut and he can no long afford key services
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💜 phonakins 🍉🌲 @phonakins.com · 20/06/2026
My friend @normalness.bsky.social has started a podcast about job hunting while openly disabled as she job hunts while openly disabled for the second time We join her 9 weeks in, three week into unemployment Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/3jlz...
normalness.com
The Second Time Podcast Episode 0 - Introduction - Normal Ness
Image description: The words “The second time podcast” in black text on a purple background. There is also a sketch of a computer and mouse.   Episode Script: Welcome to The Second Time. I’m Vanessa S...
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
and NDIS Bill report delayed again - this time till next Tuesday www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
aph.gov.au
Media Releases
Media Releases
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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
How many points did the algorithm remove because it’s trained to assume the practice of family care giving - predominantly performed by women - regardless of an individuals ability to perform it, and subsequently reduce the funding package? Gendered unpaid labour is built into the system
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
report on NDIS bill due today, but in the meantime read some of the incredible submissions from disabled people - all the 'name withhelds' tell you how scared people are about speaking out, but they did it anyway www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
aph.gov.au
Submissions
Submissions
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
thousands of disabled people, families, kin, organisations and community say ndis cuts are cruel and unfair --> nothing rich folks freak out about paying a fairer amount of tax --> change very clear who government cares about www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...
abc.net.au
Live: Treasurer says Labor has lost 'political paint' from budget as he defends backdown
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the federal government has lost "political paint" from May's budget while defending a backdown on key budget measures. Follow live.
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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Aged care tool under fire as man with late-stage MND loses appeal for higher funding www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...
abc.net.au
Wife and carer 'dumbfounded' by husband's aged care assessment
Melbourne man Graham Crossan relies on his wife Gaynor to help him eat, move and even breathe. But a new assessment tool means he has been refused funding for more support.
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💜 phonakins 🍉🌲 @phonakins.com · 17/06/2026
Emergency Housing Protest Called as Homes NSW Signals Escalation in Demolition of Public Housing and Removal of Save Waterloo Encampment 18 June 2026 WHEN: 11am, Thursday 18 June WHERE: 63 McEvoy Street, Waterloo
a4ph.substack.com
MEDIA ALERT: Emergency Housing Protest Called as Homes NSW Signals Escalation in Demolition of Public Housing and Removal of Save Waterloo Encampment 18 June 2026
WHAT: Protest, 1pm June 18 at corner of McEvoy and Cope St, Waterloo
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Antipoverty Centre @antipovertycentre.org · 16/06/2026
Join us for this event tomorrow night, it's going to be awesome. Auslan interpretation and live captioning will be available. REGISTER: bit.ly/PFP-online
Rick Morton will join Cheyanne – who contributed to the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s investigation into the Targeted Compliance Framework and features in the documentary alongside Jesse – to discuss the background to the investigation, what welfare recipients need from policies that affect us and how both the media and government are failing to grapple with the unfair and unlawful use of penalties affecting millions of people. We will share information about:

how people subjected to compulsory activities can assert their rights in the current system;

what actions we are taking, and what other welfare recipients can do, to reveal more evidence of harmful and unlawful penalties; and

employment minister Amanda Rishworth’s recent (un)employment services announcement, what it means for welfare recipients, and the “consultation” process.

Time: 7pm AEST
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Gabrielle Peters @mssinenomine.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
I am often referred to as a disability activist or advocate and despite years of telling people that I don’t consider myself either of those, the miscategorization/mischaracterization persists. So I figured it was time to suggest an alternative. open.substack.com/pub/mssineno...
open.substack.com
I am not a disability activist or advocate.
I am often referred to as a disability activist or advocate and despite years of telling people that I don’t consider myself either of those, the miscategorization/mischaracterization persists.
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Deepcut News @deepcutnews.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have forced hundreds of families into the streets - many for the second or third time since the genocide began, writes Palestinian journalist Shaimaa Marwan Eid. www.deepcutnews.com/p/as-though-...
deepcutnews.com
'As though the war had returned': Israeli evacuation orders precede strikes on homes in Gaza
Palestinian journalist Shaimaa Marwan Eid reports from Gaza City
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
NDIS Bill Committee report now due Friday (was due today) www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
aph.gov.au
Media Releases
Media Releases
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Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
"A group of literally hundreds of people has sprung into action, coordinating, donating, providing lifts for families to get somewhere safe for the night, bringing food to those who don’t want to leave the house, offering shelter, car seats, toys..." www.opendemocracy.net/far-right-vi...
opendemocracy.net
Far-right chaos won’t define Northern Ireland – solidarity will
While extremists grabbed headlines, hundreds of ordinary people mobilised to protect our neighbours
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💜 phonakins 🍉🌲 @phonakins.com · 10/06/2026
"These “pay to prove” dynamics also disproportionately affect those with fewer financial resources. Women with disability are more likely than men with disability to live on lower incomes. They also have higher expenses and lower earning capacity due to greater caring responsibilities. "
theconversation.com
Tightening NDIS eligibility will disproportionately affect women – in more ways than you’d expect
Women are already less likely to access the NDIS for their disabilities than men and more likely to be carers.
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Rachel DL @racheldl.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Very pleased to share my new essay in the Disability Debrief @desibility.bsky.social about what my experiences in a residential institution taught me about power and resistance & how those lessons have come back to me during rising authoritarianism. www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/inst...
disabilitydebrief.org
What being institutionalised taught me about resistance
And why these lessons come back as Trump attacks marginalised communities
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Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 10/06/2026
I cannot state strongly enough that data centre overdevelopment and the shockingly toxic technology of generative AI should be both be intensely opposed, rather than welcomed on the grounds that they're taxed. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
If Australian data centres are going to power the AI revolution, we deserve a fair return | David Pocock
We cannot afford to make the same mistake as we did with gas. If tech companies are going to use our land, energy and water for AI, they must pay their fair share of tax
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Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
As a support worker of many years, I see the direct impact on clients and their families. The stress, injuries, exhaustion and illness that comes from not only having inadequate funding but being subjected to constant systems trauma when dealing with bureacracy
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ABC News Australia @news.abc.net.au · 10/06/2026
NDIS cuts could create unsafe environments and domestic violence risks, inquiry warned
abc.net.au
Concerns NDIS cuts could create increase domestic violence risks
Planned cuts to NDIS community participation budgets could leave participants in unsafe environments, including increasing their risk of domestic violence, advocates have warned.
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Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Fair to say this was written in anger, frustration and despair. The NDIS cuts, and the way they are being done, are cruel. They cannot be supported. www.deepcutnews.com/p/health-min...
deepcutnews.com
Health minister wants to cut disability support by 99% without legislation - Greg Jericho
Labor's cruel NDIS cuts will make it worse for families like mine
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Ann Louise Deslandes @anndlandes.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
I fell down and hurt my brain! If you like independent journalists and would like to support one to take some time out of work, plis consider a subscription to my newsletter. $5/month // $50/year, click on the pink 'subscribe' button to the right of the screen at this link: www.thetroubledregion.com
thetroubledregion.com
The Troubled Region
A newsletter on/of foreign correspondence
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
essential reading from admin law academic and NDIS expert Darren O'Donovan about what I've coined a 'reverse means-test' in the new NDIS bill
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Ariel Bogle @arielbogle.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Today we launched a dive into the "less lethal" weapons some police are using against crowds in Australia—and about which very little is publicly known. These are projectiles that release powder designed to burn the eyes and throat. Flashbang grenades. Teargas. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Revealed: the ‘less lethal’ weapons Australian police don’t want you to know about
Launchers that shoot ‘bullet-like missiles’, chemical irritants and stinger grenades: experts say these weapons can cause serious injury or even death. But they are deployed by police against crowds w...
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
bloody hell, villamanta legal talking about what happens when essential NDIS supports are cut - disabled people end up in hospital and die. says this bill will make this much worse www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCOn...
youtube.com
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee | Melbourne, VIC | 09/06/2026
YouTube video by Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal
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Antipoverty Centre @antipovertycentre.org · 08/06/2026
🗞️ Today SBS is doing (yet another) story about how unliveable the JobSeeker payment is. If you’re in Sydney or Melbourne and are interested in being interviewed for tonight’s news, send us an email via media@antipovertycentre.org
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💜 phonakins 🍉🌲 @phonakins.com · 08/06/2026
The 2026 Cost of Living Index finds that: A single person on JobSeeker falls behind by $251 a week after paying for rent, food and transport A single parent on Parenting Payment falls behind by $174 a week A couple with two children on JobSeeker falls behind by $428 a week.
7m ago
07.32 AEST
Cait Kelly
Cait Kelly
New Cost of Living Index shows JobSeeker recipients can’t afford basics

Anglicare Australia is calling on the Federal Government to urgently raise the rate of JobSeeker and other income support payments, after new research found people on Centrelink payments cannot afford basic living costs.

The 2026 Cost of Living Index finds that:

A single person on JobSeeker falls behind by $251 a week after paying for rent, food and transport

A single parent on Parenting Payment falls behind by $174 a week

A couple with two children on JobSeeker falls behind by $428 a week.

Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers said:

These figures show that Australia’s cost of living crisis is hitting people on the lowest incomes the hardest.

People aren’t literally spending hundreds of dollars more than they receive every week. They’re surviving by skipping meals, going without healthcare, living in unsuitable housing, relying on emergency relief, turning to unaffordable lines of credit and building up debts they can’t afford to repay.
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
wild that the NDIS cuts hearing in Melbourne today is only available via audio with no live [non AI generated] captions for both broadcast and for those presenting. incredibly difficult for disabled people to access www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCOn...
youtube.com
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee | Melbourne, VIC | 09/06/2026
YouTube video by Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal
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El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
the fabulous Maeve Kennedy from @inclusionoz.bsky.social on the NDIS cuts impact on people with an intellectual disability www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRNv...
youtube.com
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