Due to divorce I decided to study nursing, and qualified on age pension. I got a job starting as casual 2 shifts a week and made myself indispensable. Obviously the amount I earned each fortnight varied greatly due to hours worked and penalty rates. Work in its wisdom paid the last fortnight in June 2010 a day late on the 1st July 2010 i.e. in another financial year making 27 lots of pay in a year when we all know there are only 26 fortnights in a year. Centrelink has my spreadsheet from work, I'm up to my 15th phone call to them explaining things. On the last call I was told it could take months for the multicalculation team to reassess things, all the while I am out of pocket $1415.18
I had always planned to work till I was 75 but the stress and time taken to deal with Centrelink has precipitated my resignation and now I am on the age pension, costing the country money. In desperation I phoned my local MP and am now on this web site. I will get my money back, I won't give up, I am angry and I have a very good and long memory!
I don't believe that most people that have been targeted are 'dole bludgers'. They are like me, totally honest, doing there best to work but unfortunately not earning the same amount of money a fortnight. If the government wants there to be a massive black economy where all work is done cash in hand, it's doing a great job. It is alienating honest people that have been targeted and creating huge ill will. It's not just the people targeted that feel upset with the government, but their family and friends who know them and understand the injustice being meted out. Going after pollies expenses is good but it does not negate the injustice done to the most vulnerable people in society.