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

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered an application by Mr Russell for a Disability Support Pension, which had been reviewed by the Secretary of the Department of Social Services. The dispute concerned whether Mr Russell's various medical conditions, including osteoarthritis, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, diabetes, hearing loss, and bronchitis, met the criteria for the pension under the relevant impairment tables.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether Mr Russell's conditions were fully diagnosed, treated, and stabilised, and whether the assessed level of impairment, particularly concerning mental health and upper and lower limb function, reached the threshold of 20 points as stipulated by the impairment tables.

The Tribunal affirmed the decision under review, finding that Mr Russell's circumstances did not meet the eligibility requirements for the Disability Support Pension at that time. The Tribunal noted that if Mr Russell's circumstances were to change in the future, he would be entitled to submit a new application for the pension.