Rod and Murray
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Rod, early 60s, acquired a brain injury in a workplace accident in the late 2000s.
About two years ago, he was at a shopping centre and was hungry but didn’t have any money for food. Murray offered to buy him something to eat and they became friends.
Rod told the Royal Commission that he has money but is unable to access it. The public guardian manages his disability support pension and the compensation money he received as a result of the accident. The trustee pays Rod’s rent and bills and gives him $220 per fortnight for food, transport, everyday living and dog expenses.
‘Not only does he not have access to his money … they're barely paying him anything at all,’ Murray said.
One time, Rod had to go to a charity for food, but was turned away because he is under the care of the public guardian.
Murray lends Rod about $200 each week to help cover his expenses. ‘If it wasn't for my support he would be starving and dead in the street somewhere, I suspect.’
Murray has also repaid Rod’s outstanding loans. Rod owes Murray about $40,000, which he intends to repay when he gets access to his money.
Rod said the public guardian doesn’t communicate with him and is rude and abusive when he asks about his money. The annual fees have increased from $3,400 to $4,300 per year.
Five or so years ago, the public guardian released more than $300,000 so Rod could buy a house for a woman he’s known for some time. Rod doesn’t live in the house and doesn’t know the address. He is not sure if his name is on the title and hasn’t been able to contact the woman for many months. Murray believes the public guardian should not have released money for something that doesn’t benefit Rod.
Murray can’t understand why the public guardian doesn’t seem to care about Rod. ‘This is a guy who has had a brain injury. You’d think someone would have checked up or even see how’s he’s going.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.