I've posted previously about my debt (http://notmydebt.com.au/stories/notmydebt-stories/robo-debt-return-beaur...). It was resolved some time ago now and I wanted to update my story.
In the end it took me contacting the office of my local MP (his assistant was amazing, passing my information on to a relevant minister), the government ombudsman (who was completely useless) and then jumping through every single fucking hoop Centrelink demanded because refusing to do so would have been a fight I couldn't win.
I had to go back over all the information that I'd already supplied the FIRST time (see link above). I had to print physical copies of payslips and where they were unavailable, print out my personal bank statements that covered the period that they claimed I owed the debt and mail it to them.
Eventually I received a call from a Centrelink representative saying that they'd reduced my debt to $50 and they'd wipe it as it was below a particular amount and I wouldn't have to pay at all. Apparently all resolved. I'm still actually pissed off by that - I owed those wankers nothing, yet they had gall to say I owed even a cent.
Terribly. The ministers responsible should be investigated or there should be a royal commission and those responsible should be made to pay for their breaches of the law and take responsibility for the deaths on their hands and the terror and anxiety they've put people through AND APOLOGISE. Unreservedly.
People accused of being dole-bludgers, liars and thieves should be compensated for the stress, health issues and anxiety they've suffered - I'm thinking the amount they were accused of owing would be a good place to start. Then a little extra for all the added stress, anxiety and financial costs of proving their innocence.
That this is still an on-going problem is frankly mind boggling and disheartening.