The Department of Human Services (DHS) has defended the release of a welfare recipient’s personal and protected information to a journalist, insisting it was proportionate and legal. The release has been criticised by the Federal Opposition and lawyers who believe it may have a chilling impact on welfare recipients who would otherwise criticise the Government. Blogger Andie Fox wrote an opinion piece early in February claiming Centrelink had “terrorised” her over a debt she claimed she did not owe. A few weeks later, her personal details were supplied to a journalist who wrote a comment piece from the Government’s perspective, raising the prospect that Centrelink had been “unfairly castigated”. Public servants have told a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra the “protected” information was collated by DHS officials and approved for release by Human Services Minister Alan Tudge’s office.
March 3, 2017
Eighty-four years, eight months and fifteen days. That’s how old two-time killer Graham Anthony George Sloane will be when he is first eligible for release from jail. But that’s not good enough, according to the family of Windale aged-care worker and murder victim Renee Mitchell. They wanted “life”.
March 3, 2017
More than 20 residents and a significant number of staff at a nursing home have been struck down with gastro, with at least one person admitted to hospital. A source from Grovedale’s Homestyle Belmont Grange said chaos reigned at the nursing home with so many frail and elderly residents sick, and a large number of staff also taken ill. Homestyle chief executive Tim Humphries confirmed 21 residents currently had gastro. A Department of Health spokesman said one resident had been hospitalised.
March 3, 2017
Stif Sekirski has failed to convince the Fair Work Commission that he was unfairly dismissed by Scope (Vic) Ltd. Mr Sekirski worked as a Disability Support Worker. His employment was terminated on the grounds of serious misconduct.
March 3, 2017
A s.394 (Unfair dismissal) application by Lynne Sneesby against Farragher Support Services Pty Ltd has been tossed out by Deputy President Gooley because she failed to follow through on his information requests.
March 2, 2017
A pioneer in the aged care residential care sector has died. Betty Amsden, 90, died at home this week.
March 2, 2017
Jia Qi Yan has won her unfair dismissal claim against Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd T/A Spotless. The matter was heard over four days. Brendan Edghill, Senior Industrial Officer from the Health Services Union NSW and Mr David Bray, NSW Manager – Workplace Relations at the Australian Industry Group, were granted leave to appear pursuant to s.596(2)(a) of the Act. In January 2016, Spotless commenced providing catering and other services to the Rehabilitation and Disability Support Network operating the Royal Rehab facility at Morrison Road in Ryde, Sydney. Ms Yan commenced employment as a Personal Food Assistant for Royal Rehab on 3 March 1998. She injured her elbow whilst at work, she continued to perform her full range of duties until November 2015, when some restrictions were placed on the duties she could perform. She was subsequently stood down and directed to undertake a ‘functionality assessment’ by a physiotherapist. She was subsequently, after an assessment meeting dismissed by letter. Fair Work has issued an order for reinstatement with continuity of service together with an amount of twelve weeks’ salary.
March 2, 2017
Regis Aged Care Pty Ltd is facing a s.372 (Application to deal with other contravention disputes) before Commissioner Booth in Conference Room A in Brisbane at 10am (Bernasconi).
