Jessica Longbottom

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Jessica Longbottom |Ben Butler |Kate Ashton |Danielle Bonica

Large sums of taxpayer money meant for some of the most vulnerable Australians have been flowing through companies linked to a man named Khawaja Moeen Haroon. While his network has been under investigation for suspected fraud on the NDIS, some of those in his care have been left living in squalor. This is how he built his network, and the human cost to those caught in its web.

Feb 12, 2025 | abc.net.au | Jessica Longbottom

Students at a Victorian primary school were left at risk of sexual abuse because of "significant flaws" in the response from the state's Department of Education, a highly critical Ombudsman's report has found. The report paints a disturbing picture of how child sexual abuse allegations have been handled in Victorian schools, finding the department's response in one case was at times seriously inadequate, and even in breach of the law.

Jan 22, 2025 | abc.net.au | Jessica Longbottom

The Victorian coroner has indicated he will not hold a public inquest into the death of Melbourne woman Caitlin Wainrib in 2020, but acknowledges there are more questions than answers over her death. Warning: This story contains references to suicide some audience members may find distressing. It comes after an ABC investigation last year examined the police's handling of the death of Ms Wainrib, whose body was found in her home in Chelsea, in Melbourne's south-east, in February 2020.

Jan 3, 2025 | abc.net.au | Jessica Longbottom

Margaret* sits on the couch as the paramedics and police officers stand above her in a suburban Sydney home. "No," the 89-year-old says forcefully. "No, no, no!"The emergency workers look uncomfortable, but at the end of the day, they have a job to do. "The order's been made so, unfortunately, we have to go ahead," one of the police officers says. But Margaret won't budge. "I've suffered enough in there and I've done nothing wrong. Go away!" she yells. But this is a battle she can't win.

Dec 17, 2024 | abc.net.au | Jessica Longbottom

Eric* is exhausted. There are people he's never met circling his son Mike's* hospital bed, encouraging Mike to come with them to their disability care facility. The 27-year-old has an acquired brain injury and schizoaffective disorder, among other mental health diagnoses, and has frequent psychiatric admissions. He is also the recipient of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan worth $670,000 a year — making him a lucrative catch for unscrupulous providers.