False debt, no action, inscrutable system

Debt amount:

$6201

Date debt issued:

Wednesday, 10 October 2018

Period debt occurred:

July 2013 to December 2014

Has your case been referred to a collection agency?:

Yes

Payment Type:

Youth Allowance

Appealing Debt?:

Yes in process

Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress:

This debt has come at a time where I'm venturing out to start my own business.

Money is tight, stress levels are high and there are so many balls in the air that I have to juggle – this debt is a source of stress, anxiety, and frustration.

How do you feel about the way the Government has handled this process?:

It has been totally opaque in how it is handling it.

I provided all the information that was needed at the first instance to show that there was no legal basis for the debt. Despite this, the department has progressed with the claim, sending it to a debt collection agency with only a digital letter to inform me (it first came to my attention when I was called by the debt collection agency).

I want to buy a house soon with my partner but I don't know how this unlawful action will affect my chances of homeownership.
It has been 'on appeal' for four months now (I asked for a review of the decision in Feb but apparently what I should have done was 'appeal' - three months lost there).

Overall it is a deplorable and unlawful way to bully the vulnerable into paying debts that they do not owe.
I am ashamed of the actions of my government in propping up this scheme.