Despite multiple mental health disabilities and an autistic spectrum disorder I tried reentering the workforce. I obtained two qualifications and found work teaching other people with disabilities. I was, for most of that time, working three part time casual teaching jobs.
Centrelink claimed there were discrepancies between what I earned all those years ago and what I declared. Yet they refused repeatedly to show evidence or details and have been overtly obstructionist. In lieu of providing me a copy of their calculations, they sent me a cryptic printout of a spreadsheet devoid of any context.
Centrelink no longer even supply the legislative basis for their decisions, making it impossible to understand, let alone defend against their allegations. They have reversed onus of proof and blocked any attempt to get details.
I
have come to regret trying and will never try to work again. Even if I made mistakes in declaring (and I don't know if I did) that is because Centrelink has outsourced its admin to me. It was hard enough to work with my disabilities but Centrelink's belligerant stonewalling and abuse has destroyed my confidence. When I received the first letter I was in the early stages of trying to work again. I was setting up a small business. I cancelled those plans because Centrelink's abusiveness and persecutory actions mean I no longer feel safe trying.
I have good friends and am grateful to Lifeline for helping me through the despair and suicidal thoughts. But part of me is damaged, broken by Centrelink. Out of desperation, and encouraged by the existence of this site, I am going to try to fight for my rights once more. I am going to demand a copy of my file under the Privacy Act. I believe there are irregularities in my file caused by Centrelink's "creative accounting" and I intend to bring them to light.
Centrelink's many perversions of fair play have crossed a line, dispensing with due process, and seeking to evade public accountability. They have acted in bad faith throughout, exercising their processes in criminal ways. They have burned bridges, and cannot ever regain their former reputation. They truly have perverted justice and public administration.