Julianna
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.
Many years ago Julianna was diagnosed with disabilities that included chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.
For more than 20 years she relied on welfare as her main source of income. ‘I remained on Youth Allowance/Newstart allowance for five years... even though I was disabled,’ she said.
These days Julianna has a full-time job. She loves working, but she becomes extremely tired by the end of the day and is unable to ‘work around the house, socialise, or have any hobbies’.
Julianna told the Royal Commission that years of dealing with Centrelink staff – of being ‘berated, belittled, and humiliated’ – has contributed to her poor health and continues to have a negative effect on her self‐esteem.
‘[They] refused to communicate about what kind of information they needed about my disability,’ she said.
This resulted in several of her Disability Support Pension (DSP) applications being rejected.
She says many of the work placements Centrelink required her to attempt were beyond her physical strength and stamina.
‘Centrelink staff... repeatedly threatened me with cancellation of payments if I could not attend to their demands... which threatened my ability to pay my rent and exposed me to homelessness.’
Julianna says she didn’t know that while she was unemployed she was entitled to see a social worker free of charge.
Now that she has a full-time job, Julianna no longer needs government support. But she still feels traumatised.
‘I live in fear of ever having to deal with Centrelink again and I suffer from anxiety when answering the telephone to unidentified callers.’
Julianna recommends that applications for the DSP should be managed by advocates. And that Centrelink be required to tell recipients about their rights to a social worker.
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.