Hughson and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review)

Hughson and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review) concerned an appeal by Mr Hughson against the decision of the Secretary of the Department of Social Services to refuse his application for a disability support pension. The core of the dispute revolved around whether Mr Hughson's impairments were "fully treated and fully stabilised" as required by the *Social Security Act 1991* (Cth) for the grant of a disability support pension. The matter was heard by Ms Amy Wood, a Member of the relevant tribunal.

The legal issues before the tribunal were whether the medical evidence established that Mr Hughson's impairments were fully treated and fully stabilised, and consequently, whether he met the program of support requirements for a disability support pension. This involved an assessment of the medical evidence in light of the criteria set out in the *Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2011*.

Ms Wood's reasoning focused on the interpretation of "fully treated and fully stabilised." She found that the medical evidence did not demonstrate that Mr Hughson's conditions had reached a point where no further treatment was likely to improve his functional capacity. The evidence indicated ongoing treatment and the potential for further improvement, which meant the impairments could not be considered fully stabilised. Therefore, Mr Hughson did not meet the threshold requirements for the pension. The decision of the Secretary was affirmed.