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Calls for NDIS to fund treatment for ADHD
By Dana Daniel
Comedian Em Rusciano has called for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to fund treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and called for greater sensitivity in dealing with families of children with autism.
Rusciano, who has a daughter with ADHD and a son with autism, told the National Press Club on Wednesday that families were treated as “guilty until proven worthy” while trying to access the scheme.
She said she had been encouraged to bring her son “to the brink of an autistic meltdown” before a treatment session so his NDIS case worker could “witness it rather than take my word of it”.
Em Rusciano has gone from 'Australian Idol' contestant to radio host, podcaster, columnist, author and top10 chart singer.Credit:James Brickwood
“I have to prove how hard my life is with my son and I have to say and report on things no mother should have to do,” Rusciano said.
“You have to say the very worst. You have to put on a show ... I’ve heard mothers that are being asked if you have had to call the police on your child or if your child has ever been in danger. These questions are unacceptable.”
Rusciano said ADHD testing and therapy was “wildly expensive”, running into thousands of dollars a year which was “out of reach with many Australian families”.
“We need proper government recognition and support, ADHD needs to be included in the NDIS as a primary disability,” she said.
“Even though ADHD was recognised as a disability in the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act, it does not appear on the list of disabilities supported by the NDIS.”
Rusciano also used her speech to reject claims that a surge in social media discussion of ADHD meant the disorder was a fad.
She said the social isolation of the pandemic had pushed her to seek professional help after “lockdown took away all my usual routines and all the things that help me function, which exacerbated my undiagnosed ADHD symptoms”.
“I had built a house of cards of coping mechanisms that got smashed to the ground, and I took myself off to my doctor,” the comedian said.
The isolation of COVID-19 restrictions had also prompted a surge in social media content by people experiencing the disorder, she said.
“Lots of us did take to social media to connect and a lot of us started talking about our super-niche weird symptoms, exhausting things, and then when we found a whole community of other like-minded individuals,” Rusciano said.
“We flocked together and we made TikToks and Instagrams and let us have that! And if some of you are so sick of seeing it, oh, imagine living with that.”
She rejected claims that ADHD was a social media fad that was “growing in popularity” and said the phenomenon was an indication that “visibility is increasing”.
Rusciano said there were barriers to diagnosis from GPs who did not “necessarily believe in ADHD for adults” and challenges finding psychiatrist appointments.
This afternoon’s headlines at a glance
By Broede Carmody
Good afternoon and thanks for reading our live coverage.
If you’re just joining us, here’s what you need to know.
- Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says he hopes the government’s fresh inquiry into the secret portfolio saga examines “every stage of the chain” between his successor, the governor-general and public servants. But former employment minister Stuart Robert says Labor’s rhetoric regarding a future inquiry is starting to sound “like a political witch hunt”.
- Above-average winter rainfall will cut the spring bushfire risk across eastern parts of Victoria, NSW and in the ACT. But the national council for fire and emergency services says the risk is varied across the rest of the country.
- David Crowe writes that almost two-thirds of Australians expect to suffer a real cut to their incomes this year and do not regard a boost to migration as a top priority for next week’s jobs and skills summit. The findings are part of the latest Resolve Strategic survey.
- Shane Wright reports that soaring rents are fuelling job vacancies in regional areas such as Geelong in Victoria and Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. He also writes that Australia’s living standards are at risk if government and businesses don’t adopt new technologies.
- Katina Curtis reports that potential spending caps will be canvassed as part of a parliamentary review into the May federal election. It comes after mining magnate Clive Palmer reportedly spent $100 million on this year’s campaign (resulting in one senator being elected).
- And in state news, a second NSW Labor MP is facing bullying claims. Queensland teachers who are reportedly having their pay cut for refusing to get vaccinated are “facing the consequences of that choice”, according to one politician. And Victoria’s energy minister has dismissed reports that senior police interfered with a fraud squad investigation probing the Andrews government.
I’m signing off the blog now. But I’ll be back with you bright and early tomorrow morning. Until then, have a great afternoon.
Nigel Gladstone will be with you for the rest of the day.
Greens reiterate calls for parliamentary inquiry
By Broede Carmody
Returning to federal politics, and the Greens have once again demanded a parliamentary inquiry into Scott Morrison’s secret portfolios.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that his cabinet had agreed there was a need for a further inquiry following advice from the solicitor-general – but that it shouldn’t be “political”. The PM says he’ll release further details of this inquiry in due course.
Greens Senator David Shoebridge.Credit:James Alcock
Here’s what Greens Senator for NSW David Shoebridge has to say:
Scott Morrison has treated the people and the parliament with contempt.
Deception and secrecy has no place in politics, and people voted overwhelmingly at the last election in favour of accountability and transparency.
The Greens will move for a parliamentary commission of inquiry, with the resources and powers of a royal commission, that reports to the whole parliament, not just to the government.
We have seen how governments often use inquiries, with hand picked chairs and limited powers, to produce political rather than fair or factual outcomes, and we can’t afford a similar outcome this time.
Australia records 16,028 new cases of COVID, 60 deaths
By Broede Carmody
All Australian states and territories have now reported today’s official coronavirus numbers.
There are 16,028 new cases of COVID-19 and 60 additional deaths from the virus.
There are 3324 people in hospital with COVID. Of those, 96 are in ICU.
Foreign minister’s next overseas visit revealed
By Chris Barrett
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will fly to East Timor next week as the country ramps up pressure over offshore gas riches by warning it could turn to China to build a pipeline to its shore.
Wong’s first trip to Dili since Labor won government will follow a stop in Papua New Guinea and comes as East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta prepares to make his own visit to Canberra early next month.
Penny Wong’s visit to East Timor will be her fifth to south-east Asia since Labor took office in May.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
The Nobel peace laureate is facing backlash at home this week over his awarding of an honour to a retired Indonesian army commander with ties to human rights abuses during Jakarta’s occupation of East Timor.
But it is the future of the $71 billion Greater Sunrise oil and gas fields in the Timor Sea that this government has been raising the volume on, insisting that gas be piped to the country’s south coast and not to Darwin as is preferred by project partner Woodside Energy.
Bid to reveal national cabinet minutes spurned by government
By David Crowe
In case you missed it, the federal government has spurned calls to reveal the minutes of national cabinet meetings by claiming the disclosure would damage relations between the Commonwealth and the states and undermine the public interest.
In a test of transparency for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the bid to find out more about his meetings with state premiers is likely to be appealed to a federal tribunal in the hope it will order the release of documents such as agendas and notes.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under pressure to release cabinet meetings with state premiers.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Albanese criticised the “secrecy” of former prime minister Scott Morrison during the last term of parliament and attacked the Coalition for claiming national cabinet documents had to be kept confidential because the peak group was a subcommittee of federal cabinet.
Wet winter points to lower bushfire risk across east coast
Above-average winter rainfall will cut the spring bushfire risk across eastern parts of Victoria, NSW and in the ACT, the latest outlook shows.
Sydney has endured a wetter than usual winter this year.Credit:Louise Kennerley
But the national council for fire and emergency services, AFAC, says the risk is varied across the rest of the country, with parts of Western Australia and central Australia showing above-average fire potential.
Fuel loads in those areas are either fully cured (lacking in any moisture) or are expected to cure with warmer and drier seasonal conditions in spring.
“Much of Australia has experienced above-average winter rainfall and this is expected to persist for many regions throughout spring due to a convergence of climate influences,” AFAC’s latest outlook says.
“Historically, forest fire activity in south-east Australia is lower during a La Nina or negative Indian Ocean Dipole year.
“However, regions that see above-average rainfall leading to increased grass vegetation growth can subsequently see an increase in grassfire risk during short periods of warmer and drier conditions within the season.”
Low fuel loads remain across areas in NSW, Victoria and the ACT devastated by the 2019-2020 bushfires.
Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania are expected to have a normal risk of fire, along with regional NSW and western Victoria.
The latest bushfire outlook used data from the new Australian fire danger rating system, which comes into force on September 1.
The rating system calculates, forecasts and reports fire danger using up-to-date state fuel data, spatial and satellite imaging and weather forecasting.
The system will also introduce nationally consistent colours, signs and terminology to ensure everyone can understand the threat level and what they need to do to stay safe.
AAP
Qld reports 2612 new COVID cases, 29 deaths
By Broede Carmody
Queensland’s daily coronavirus numbers are in.
The state has reported 2612 new cases of COVID-19 and 29 additional deaths.
There are 376 people in Queensland hospitals with the virus. Of those, 12 are in ICU.
‘We share in your sorrow’: PM marks six months since Russia invaded Ukraine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed Australia’s support for the Ukrainian people as the nation marks 31 years of independence, six months after Russia’s invasion.
In a statement, Albanese said Australia and Ukraine will continue to celebrate “the bonds of humanity through which we will surely find the peace we seek”.
The Ukrainian flag flies above the graves at the new cemetery in Bucha. Over 1300 civilians in Bucha and surrounds were killed by Russian soldiers when they occupied the town 30km northwest of Kyiv.Credit:Kate Geraghty
“On your independence day, Australia celebrates the contribution of Australians of Ukrainian descent and the more than 3800 Ukrainians we have welcomed since February,” he said.
“You share gifts of culture, faith and history that enrich us all. We are one with you and we share in your sorrow at the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine.
“Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s brutal invasion is a test of the world’s commitment to the ideals of democracy and the integrity of international borders.”
The federal opposition has also expressed support for Ukraine, calling on the federal government to do everything necessary to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of support.
“Australia has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine and continues to condemn Russia’s abhorrent actions,” Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said in a joint statement with his defence and foreign affairs spokesmen.
“This 31st independence day will be a difficult day for many Ukrainians, as it also marks exactly six months since the beginning of Russia’s invasion.
“We grieve for those whose lives have been lost, including many women and children.”
AAP
‘Nothing more to see’ on red shirts saga, Victorian minister says
By Sumeyya Ilanbey
Meanwhile, in Victoria, state Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has dismissed reports that senior police interfered with an investigation into the so-called red shirts scandal, saying the saga had been “thoroughly investigated”.
A Victoria Police whistleblower claimed in a 29-page statement to the state’s anti-corruption commission that bosses interfered with and obstructed the work of the fraud squad that had been investigating the Andrews government, according to News Corp.
Lily D’Ambrosio, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change.Credit:Elke Meitzel
“The [Victorian] Ombudsman and the DPP [Department of Public Prosecutions] thoroughly investigated this matter inside and out and they both concluded that this investigation is over and there’s nothing more to see here,” D’Ambrosio told reporters.
The Ombudsman last month released a second report into the red shirts saga, saying no new information had come to light to warrant further investigation.
The scandal refers to a scheme used in the 2014 state election when campaign organisers (i.e. party employees) were employed as casual electorate officers (i.e. public servants). The staff, who wore red Labor T-shirts, spent most of their working hours campaigning in marginal seats in a misuse of parliament’s budget.
As regular readers of this blog will know, the Victorian Labor Party misused almost $400,000 in the lead up to the 2014 election as a result of that scheme. The money was later repaid.
In her initial report tabled in March 2018, Ombudsman Deborah Glass said the scheme was wrong – finding 21 MPs had breached parliament’s members’ guide.
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2022-08-24 04:04:56Z
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