Request this be investigated 5 times, only 2 times repayments were paused. Initial debt was July 2014-June 2016 for $4700, however since beginning of it being investigated this has changed multiple times, both with the amount AND the time period. Currently waiting for my 2nd appeal with AAT, however time period has extended while only affecting 2 financial years the "NEW" period Centrelink claim I was overpaid is from June 2014 right through until July 2016. Ive always done my tax returns on time, never ever owed them money AND I also get paid at a reduced rate for my FTB even though I am continuously owed child support, for example in Dec 2014 my FTB I was receiving was $10.84 and $18.10 per fortnight by end of financial year Centrelink owed me arrears of $990 and $2300. Centrelink give no explanations into anything.
Their evidence is false, misleading and has changed without reason. I reported every fortnight and every year when "my familys income has been assessed, we (centrelink) owe you....." You would assume all their info is correct!! Ive had over $1200 stolen from my payments (I say stolen due to the unpausing of collections recommencing without my knowledge and at an amount of $115 per fortnight) My centrepay for Synergy now falling through going unpaid to which now Im completely disconnected. Child support is $2700 in arrears and has skyrocketed in a new assessment to $800 per month up from $34.50 (which is due to begin next mth) I suffer from depression and anxiety, have been financially abused for years and cant escape it thanks to "legislation"
Im single mum of 1, not working and due to my mental health deemed unable to work by my GP. My current payment FTB and Newstart combined only just cover a fortnights rent leaving less than $100 for everything else and $20 alone is bus fare to and from school for my daughter, $20 prepaid phone credit (only form of contact I have) I no longer can afford to own a car, I make sure my child has lunch/recess everyday but even that is a stretch other than that, we really do go without for necessities, and Centrelink deem me "fit to repay the debt without any struggles" Yet we live without electricity, without gas and will very soon become homeless if further enforcement continues as I wont be able to cover my rent payments in my private rental (deemed not eligible for government housing and told to search private rental options after surviving a violent relationship)
I feel utterly disgusted and completely ruined emotionally. Ive called the call centre over and over, put in several online complaints and still have no resolution. I hardly sleep, I struggle just to function daily with this looming dark black cloud. Im tired, Im drained and Ive physically had enough. The government have fraudsters and yet even those that are found get off lighter than us victims. A debt of over $90,000 will take 226yrs to repay by 1 woman due to her repayment being $15 a fortnight! Im still awaiting an outcome but am currently being forced to pay a minimum of $40 a fortnight.... Do the math on that one!! ITS ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!
What makes it worse is when a lawyer for Centrelink calls and declares that Centrelink would have to pay them more to represent the matter than the amount of the debt, and if you, the customer, can keep it quiet and not mention the matter they will delete the debt from the system completely!! But dont expect any of the $1200 Ive already had taken from me to have this debt recovered!!! All hush hush and they can lie cheat and steal from you and ONLY THEN consider to sweep it under the rug!!
I fear if this happens again, and a debt mysteriously appears there will be no record of how much has been recovered from my payments, customers are made to confirm and declare every tiny detail and more than once mind you but Centrelink break every rule and follow NO legislation LEGALLY 100% and as a government department they NEED TO REGARDLESS.
SHAME ON AUSTRALIA SHAME ON EVERYONE ALLOWING THIS TO CONTINUE. CORRUPT DEPARTMENTS RUN OUR COUNTRY IN NOTHING BUT SHAME. BE PROUD TO BE AUSTRALIAN???? WHATS THERE TO BE PROUD OF? OUR SUICIDE RATE? OUR ABUSE TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE? THE TRAUMA FORCED UPON US FROM OUR GOVERNMENTS??
BE PROUD OUR POLITICIANS ARE OVER PAID OVER COMPENSATED WHEN THE CAN AFFORD LUXURIES NO ONE ELSE CAN.... TAX PAYER FUNDING NOT THE WELFARE BUT THE BLUDGING POLITICIANS RUINING OUR CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE WITHOUT ANY DISREGARD FOR ANY FUTURE.