Witness to the Effects of Legislative Control
I apologise in advance—this is a rant.
When we think and feel that we have no voice, disastrous consequences can occur.
A few days ago:
Two young girls lost their beloved mum
A husband lost his friend and partner in love
Parents lost their treasured daughter
A sister became only a precious memory for her siblings
Friends lost a confidant who added so much to their lives
And a community lost a vibrant, funny, passionate, intelligent, driven, and giving young woman
So many are experiencing emptiness in their lives right now because of this loss.
Why I’m Writing This
At certain points in this young woman’s journey, post her cancer diagnosis, I was witness to the emotional pain, anger, and frustration that gripped her.
These emotions were not unfounded. They were justified.
This young mum felt unseen and unheard. She knew something was wrong—for almost twelve months—before a second GP finally listened and took her concerns seriously. Even then, it was only at her insistence that she secured the tests leading to a diagnosis of late-stage cancer. Sadly, by then, little could be done.
My Frustration Isn’t With Doctors Alone
I’m not here to shame individual medical professionals. Most are dedicated, but they work inside a system of tight parameters that limits their scope. Good practitioners are stifled.
This blog is about something bigger—the bureaucracy, legislation, and policies that affect how agencies (medical, educational, child protection, etc.) operate.
And the heartbreaking reality is this: these systems too often fail the very people they are supposed to protect.
Where We See the Stranglehold
Education: As a teacher, I see students denied access to true learning by rigid, legislated teaching methods.
Child protection: I’ve witnessed departmental decisions made for administrative convenience rather than a child’s best interests.
Healthcare: As both a patient and a health coach, I’ve seen people denied timely diagnostics, blocked from specialists due to postcode or policy, or limited in their choices due to affordability and age restrictions.
And this week—I witnessed the ultimate cost of systemic failure: the loss of a young woman whose life can never be replaced.
The Bigger Question
At what point do we, as individuals and as a society, insist that bureaucracy and legislation serve their true purpose?
That protection, not control is the goal
That inclusion, not exclusion is the standard
That compassion, wisdom, and humanity shape practices that affect real human lives
Had this been the context, the outcome for that young woman may not have changed—but her journey would have been radically different. And her family’s suffering, though inevitable, might have been gentler.
A Call at Election Time
As I write this, Australia is preparing to hold a federal election.
Perhaps it is fitting that I give voice to my concerns now—not just for myself, but:
for my students
for the boy denied the chance of success by bureaucracy
for cancer patients navigating systemic barriers
and for a young mum whose legacy lies in the love she gave and the impact she left
Her voice—and the silence that followed it—must teach us something.
