I can't sleep, I am constantly stressed and irritable and I have no idea how I am going to pay it all back. I feel intimidated and bullied by the department of human services because they told me I have no choice but to start repaying the debt even though they have not provided proof of the debt owed AND they have not decided on my formal review. Everyone I speak to at Centrelink has no answers and they keep providing me misleading information including sending me a letter saying I owed $9,000 and NOT $11,000. They can't even get their figures right and when I called to ask they couldn't tell me which debt amount is the "correct" one. I have been waiting since 5 January 2017 for my review to be decided on and still have no answer. Or proof. Or contact.
It is underhanded and sneaky. Deciding people are guilty and then making them prove their own innocence is just cruel and heartless. This has affected me so greatly and I have lost all trust and respect for the systems that are meant to help and protect benefit recipients. Sending the debt letters a week before Christmas is just disgusting and then having the minister wash his hands and say he isn't aware that bullying and intimidation tactics are happening is just laughable! Of course he knows!