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The Forum > Article Comments > Profoundly disabled uniquely vulnerable to Individual Support Package funding rort > Comments

Profoundly disabled uniquely vulnerable to Individual Support Package funding rort : Comments

By Patricia Eisele, published 23/9/2016

Since 2012, Karen has been held in a carefully managed prison of silence, while her family uses her disability cash to fund their mortgage payments, household expenses and home renovations.

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Legal Aid NSW: Home
www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/
May 19, 2016 - Provides services to disadvantaged people. Access topical information, policies and links. Multi language support for information on legal aid ...

Police can search without a warrant if a crime is reasonably suspected. Fraud is a crime.
Posted by nicknamenick, Saturday, 24 September 2016 3:12:30 PM
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Thank you Nicknamenick.... The first organisation Karen reached out to was her local disability legal service. Someone at their offices breached her confidentiality and reported details of her visit to her family. That is when they first took away her free access to communicate. In her case, many organisations tasked to assist have failed to respond to her needs. This is not always intentional. As I wrote in the main article, agencies have a large, difficult task in providing care to Australians with disabilities. Karen is one example of a system failure. But, that does not mean the system fails to provide services to the vast majority of those who need help. I do not want to paint this as a broken system. Karen's case and her tribulations are a way to ensure risk management corrections are implemented within current policy so that those with disabilities, their families, taxpayers and society as a whole benefit.
Posted by Dr T, Saturday, 24 September 2016 3:51:32 PM
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There are Official Visitors for disability responsible to ministers and Ombudsman.

"Fraud against the Commonwealth is defined as 'dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss, by deception or other means'. . In some cases, investigations are conducted in liaison with state and Federal Police.

If you or a member of the public is engaging in criminal or fraudulent activity, your case may be referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution for consideration for potential criminal prosecution."
Posted by nicknamenick, Saturday, 24 September 2016 3:52:47 PM
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" her local disability legal service".
Then why wasn't the legal service continued? Obviously the defendant would deny anything which is not a block to a lawyer checking invoices and so on. Or police and so on..
Posted by nicknamenick, Saturday, 24 September 2016 3:57:37 PM
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Thank you for the update Dr T! I think current affairs on channel nine ought to be notified along with the responsible minister! Who won't sit on his hands any longer if this matter becomes another four corners expose?

And as the minister responsible, ought to be tasked with restoring Karen's talking Keyboard and her rights, now today! even if that includes removing her, with armed police escort from that controlling family environment, to a witness protection safe house, where a new assembly of carers can take over the duties of previous hired helpers! And for obvious reasons!

I have to agree with Nick, somebody needs to explain and justify the expenditure and the withholding of Karen's communication device! And if fraud and human rights abuse is proven, those responsible should do time and have their ill gotten gains confiscated as the proceeds of crime! No ifs, buts or maybes!

Poste haste action is warranted lest a young woman with no means to defend herself succumbs to sudden death syndrome!? And possible in an incredibly heartless family environment that has already ensured she is effectively silenced?

Somebody who gives a dam needs to act now, with urgent alacrity, before worse happens? Waiting for a family suddenly infected with a sergeant schultz syndrome, or the empathy of a steel arms locker, is arguably a recipe for sudden impending disaster!

Is the family home insured!? Is Karen insured and who is the next of kin, and do they have enduring power of attorney!?
Alan B.
Posted by Alan B., Saturday, 24 September 2016 6:01:17 PM
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Nicknamenick... The call to the family by the legal service prompted the family to remove Karen's free access to her keyboard device and her email account. She was never able to contact them again. She tried to find a new disability advocate, but her circumstances now are that the family controls the hiring of carers and has instructed them to not allow her to speak with anyone in public, schedule any meetings, or visit anyone without their knowledge and approval. Through controlling the $200,000 allocated for staff payments, they control where she can go and what she can do, even though they are not her legal guardians. She is an emancipated adult - but without basic human rights.

This is why I wrote the article. It seems like this situation should not be happening, but the loopholes allow it to. I hope this article inspires someone with authority to take a very detailed look at how profoundly disabled adults are put in a uniquely vulnerable position because their families are given control of large amounts of cash.
Posted by Dr T, Saturday, 24 September 2016 6:05:51 PM
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