My debt relates to a service pension, paid to my wife and myself. I qualified for this pension through active service in an infantry battalion in Vietnam. I have a number of war related disabilities (Lumbar Spondylosis, Hypertension and PTSD) for which I receive a disability pension of $250 per fortnight. Initially, DVA requested that I use this pension to pay off my alleged debt. They have since apologised for making this request.
DVA allege that I did not inform them of changes in my financial circumstances, and have issued the debt notice (going back to 2012) on the basis of this allegation.
I requested my file through FOA, and found two separate letters confirming that I had notified them of changes in my circumstances, which accorded with my memory.
I have requested a review of my case, and have lodged a complaint against DVA for maladministration.
Very angry.
I was a conscript, and had no choice about serving in the army in a war zone during peace time.
I was a teacher when I was called up, and the difference between what I was paid across the two years of army service and what I would have been had I remained teaching for the two years is, in today's money, $27000. I had this verified by Slater and Gordon to ensure its accuracy.
The fact of the matter is that the Australian taxpayer owes me $11000, being the difference between my stolen wages during National Service, and what DVA alleges I owe them.