Centrelink stabbing suspect pleads ‘not guilty’ as lawyers mull ‘mental impairment’ defence

Content warning: This article mentions graphic descriptions of violent crime, including stabbing and physical assault. Reader discretion is advised.

In a shocking turn of events, a man accused of stabbing a Centrelink worker in Melbourne in 2023 has pleaded not guilty, with his lawyers hinting at a possible 'mental impairment' defence.

Elijah Chase, a 35-year-old man, was arrested in May last year following the alleged stabbing of Centrelink employee Joeanne Cassar, 55, at Centrelink’s Airport West branch in Melbourne.

The incident is said to have left Ms Cassar in a pool of blood, sparking a nationwide conversation about the safety of Centrelink workers.



During a hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, Mr Chase maintained his innocence against charges of intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing serious injury, reckless conduct endangering life, common law assault, and use and possession of a controlled weapon.

The prosecution, led by Jordan O’Toole, presented a compelling case against the defendant. After hearing the evidence, magistrate Abigail Burchill stated she was 'satisfied' that the evidence could support a conviction and ordered Mr Chase to stand trial in the County Court.


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The attack on Cassar led to intense conversations on workplace safety for Centrelink employees. Image Credit: Shutterstock


The court heard that Ms Cassar was allegedly stabbed in her lower back, narrowly missing vital organs. However, she has suffered from pain, psychological trauma, and nerve damage in the months following the incident.

Clinical Forensic Physician Jo Ann Parkin suggested that Ms Cassar would likely experience 'some degree of total personal disability' as a result of the alleged attack.

Ms Cassar's career with Services Australia spans two decades, during which she has reportedly experienced 'a number of violent assaults' as a Centrelink team member. This incident has highlighted the potential dangers faced by Centrelink staff and has led to calls for improved safety measures.



Mr Chase was identified as a suspect by a witness at the Centrelink branch and was arrested on a tram shortly after the alleged incident. He was reportedly found with blood on his hands and two knives nearby.

Mr Chase's lawyer, Honorah Edwards, questioned Detective Acting Sergeant Dale Eagle about Chase's behaviour at the time of his arrest.

Sergeant Eagle confirmed that he had concerns about Chase's mental state and had requested a doctor assess whether he was 'fit' to be interviewed. However, Mr Chase refused to speak with a doctor, and Sergeant Eagle proceeded with the interview.

Edwards hinted that the admissibility of the interview might be challenged at trial, given that Chase had not been given access to a lawyer despite expressing that he 'probably should' have one.

She also revealed that a psychiatrist had recently assessed Chase, with a mental impairment defence assessment report due 'soon'.

Chase has been remanded and will appear in the County Court for a directions hearing at a later date.



Following the alleged attack, Government Services Minister Bill Shorten announced a safety review of Centrelink’s 318 centres across Australia.

The review led to 44 recommendations, all of which the government has committed to implementing. These include additional security guards, improved IT systems, and better centre designs.

As the case unfolds, it will undoubtedly continue to spark debate about the measures needed to protect those who serve our community.

Our thoughts are with Ms Cassar and all Centrelink workers who continue to serve the public despite the potential risks they face.
Key Takeaways

  • Elijah Chase, accused of stabbing Centrelink worker Joeanne Cassar, has pleaded not guilty while his lawyers prepare to explore a mental impairment defence.
  • Chase faces multiple charges, including intentionally causing serious injury and use and possession of a controlled weapon, following the incident at Centrelink’s Airport West branch in Melbourne.
  • After a hearing, magistrate Abigail Burchill ordered Elijah Chase to stand trial in the County Court, indicating the evidence could support a conviction.
  • Following a safety review of Centrelink centres, the government has committed to implementing 44 recommendations, including additional security and improved centre designs.

Have you or someone you know ever experienced violence or threats in the workplace? Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can better protect our workers in the comments below.
 
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Finding another job is not the correct response to staff being abused. No worker should put up with abuse. Management has to mitigate risk and ensure staff are safe as per OH&S laws.

I suugest end compliments to thosecwonderful staff, it helps them get proper recognition and goid performance reviews. You can lodge complaints about the horrid ones.

You are saying ' the good ones don't get attacked'. This is classic Victim Blaming. That is horrid. i can personally assure you, good people do get attacked.

I wonder whether you casting negative aspersions on the victim is appropriate for a case still before the courts?
The complaints fall into the rubbish basket, I asked for child endowment money to go into my wifes account and the answer was, "She shouldn't even be in the country " She even admitted it in front of her boss, she was transferred to another branch, but when I went back 6 weeks later, she was back and even more belligerent, don't tell me the system works, a lot of Centrelink staff are great but believe me there are some that are NASTY on purpose. That's why I told them to shove child payments.
 
Finding another job is not the correct response to staff being abused. No worker should put up with abuse. Management has to mitigate risk and ensure staff are safe as per OH&S laws.

I suugest end compliments to thosecwonderful staff, it helps them get proper recognition and goid performance reviews. You can lodge complaints about the horrid ones.

You are saying ' the good ones don't get attacked'. This is classic Victim Blaming. That is horrid. i can personally assure you, good people do get attacked.

I wonder whether you casting negative aspersions on the victim is appropriate for a case still before the courts?
Good people do get attacked, but not as often as asshats.
 
She's been the victim of several violent attacks, speaks volumes about how she treats people. Need I say more?
Not necessarily "how she treats people" but it certainly confirms that the Centrelink system is broken and people struggle with the service. Not everyone has the patience to even sit through the lengthy waits.
 
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Sick and tired of LAWYERS & PEOPLE using the defence of "Mental Impairment" or "age" or "Hardship or Hard Life"- plain and simple "1 crime = 1 sentence/conviction" no matter what. About time the LAW got rid of all the "LOOP HOLES" and become the LAW.
Ahhh well, as my son always preaches to me 'LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE GAME'. I refuse......
 
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The alleged attacker has taken knives to an interview at Centrelink.

What's wrong with the above statement?

The reopening of mental health institutions is desperately required because family members can't stop their relos taking weapons to what is essentially a government department.

If institutionalised, the alleged attacker would have been prevented from stabbing a person at her work, doing her job.

Centrelink critics PLEASE READ THE WORDS IN THIS ARTICLE including:

"...left Ms Cassar in a pool of blood..."

"...narrowly missing vital organs..."

"...psychological trauma, and nerve damage..."

"...some degree of total personal disability..."

Which one of you critics would want to be stabbed at work for doing their job?

Or would you be as critical if the victim was your wife or husband or child?

Shame on you.
 
The alleged attacker has taken knives to an interview at Centrelink.

What's wrong with the above statement?

The reopening of mental health institutions is desperately required because family members can't stop their relos taking weapons to what is essentially a government department.

If institutionalised, the alleged attacker would have been prevented from stabbing a person at her work, doing her job.

Centrelink critics PLEASE READ THE WORDS IN THIS ARTICLE including:

"...left Ms Cassar in a pool of blood..."

"...narrowly missing vital organs..."

"...psychological trauma, and nerve damage..."

"...some degree of total personal disability..."

Which one of you critics would want to be stabbed at work for doing their job?

Or would you be as critical if the victim was your wife or husband or child?

Shame on you.
Well said Anna 😍
 
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The alleged attacker has taken knives to an interview at Centrelink.

What's wrong with the above statement?

The reopening of mental health institutions is desperately required because family members can't stop their relos taking weapons to what is essentially a government department.

If institutionalised, the alleged attacker would have been prevented from stabbing a person at her work, doing her job.

Centrelink critics PLEASE READ THE WORDS IN THIS ARTICLE including:

"...left Ms Cassar in a pool of blood..."

"...narrowly missing vital organs..."

"...psychological trauma, and nerve damage..."

"...some degree of total personal disability..."

Which one of you critics would want to be stabbed at work for doing their job?

Or would you be as critical if the victim was your wife or husband or child?

Shame on you.
How on earth does anyone determine that someone is going to do a crime before they do it? Are you talking about institutionalising all people with a mental health condition?
 
Whoops having problems controlling my new phone
Yes,that would be ridiculous.
It is unconscionable of people who go to court, pleading mental incapacity, when it is not so. It makes it sound that all people with mental problems are violent which we know is not so.
Yes, that would be lawyers - it's their job to conjure up a defence, still the bar is high to get away with the insanity plea.
 
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How on earth does anyone determine that someone is going to do a crime before they do it? Are you talking about institutionalising all people with a mental health condition?
No, not at all.

The article about this alleged stabber does not give sufficient detail about his conduct prior to the stabbing incident.

He may well have a history of erratic behaviour known to authorities/family/friends etc.

I find it hard to fathom that he'd been a model, law abiding citizen who before nearly killing a stranger displayed no unusual behaviour.

Mental health is an extremely broad term. It covers so many conditions from anxiety through to serious psychological conditions.

Not everyone with mental health issues needs to be institutionalised.

If mental health institutions were in place, health professionals working in the mental health system would be responsible for determining the severity of illness.

They would make the decision about who is to be hospitalised for their own and the community's welfare.
 
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Simplistic view - Institutions put us back 100 years in relation to the stigma of mental illnesses. They were shut down for very good reasons, not the least of which abuse and neglect.

We have Mental Health Services in jails. We have high security Mental Health jails.

Cost to keep 1 prisoner in jail for 1 year approx $150k p/a not to mention the cost of infrastructure and staffing.

The biggest problem and most crime is due to Drugs - Organised Crime.

Is substance abuse mental health? Many can still function - until they can’t. Quite low success rates of rehabilitation - costs high and very much a revolving door. But they can recover by themselves only if they really want to. Ice and such is responsible for most of the erratic and violent behaviour. To put it down to mental health and therefore ‘institutions’ is a prejudice.

Humans have been violent since the beginning of time.

If we are to spend such money - it should invested in stopping the drug trade.

Female menopause, post-natal depression - can be dangerous - and many put into institutions by their loving husbands not so long ago. Dementia - can be dangerous - no pharmaceuticals to treat that.

Overall, one woman is killed by an intimate partner every two weeks in Australia - mental health or male violence?
 
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Simplistic view - Institutions put us back 100 years in relation to the stigma of mental illnesses. They were shut down for very good reasons, not the least of which abuse and neglect.

We have Mental Health Services in jails. We have high security Mental Health jails.

Cost to keep 1 prisoner in jail for 1 year approx $150k p/a not to mention the cost of infrastructure and staffing.

The biggest problem and most crime is due to Drugs - Organised Crime.

Is substance abuse mental health? Many can still function - until they can’t. Quite low success rates of rehabilitation - costs high and very much a revolving door. But they can recover by themselves only if they really want to. Ice and such is responsible for most of the erratic and violent behaviour. To put it down to mental health and therefore ‘institutions’ is a prejudice.

Humans have been violent since the beginning of time.

If we are to spend such money - it should invested in stopping the drug trade.

Female menopause, post-natal depression - can be dangerous - and many put into institutions by their loving husbands not so long ago. Dementia - can be dangerous - no pharmaceuticals to treat that.

Overall, one woman is killed by an intimate partner every two weeks in Australia - mental health or male violence?
Well said Knell.
 
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