I was in shock when I got the letter. I only drew newstart for four months during that financial year, and I worked out that I didn't even draw $3000 in payments. They asked for over half of it back and didn't offer any proof that I owed them anything; they still haven't! I applied for all my payslips and was told to input my payslip information online; of course that didn't work so I did it over the phone. I have no clue if the person did it correctly. My debt was now revised down to a tenth of the original amount, but I still have no proof that I owe it and was never asked as to why I incurred it; which is a direct violation of policy where they HAVE TO ASK YOU how you incurred a debt in order to put a 10% recovery fee (on top of them 'reclaiming money owed' (so free money) they just slapped it on there.
I can barely breathe when I think about this. My time period to pay is up tomorrow. I asked them for proof before I pay and I have heard horror stories of debt collection agencies, people being asked to pay so so much, people being told there will be a black mark on their credit. I am so terrified. It's so stupid for me to be terrified but I can't help it. I am a student, I can't afford anything! Why couldn't they have asked last year, when I had a job?!
Handled? HOW HAVE THEY HANDLED IT AT ALL? They let Centrelink act like a GIANT debt collection agency with no proper process or justice; surely a debtor must give proof of a debt? Centrelink doesn't need to prove you owe them to make you pay! The government has just allowed them to scalp 10% free money off 'reclaimed debts' (actual free money!). I have written to two senators and made a formal complaint to Centrelink. Guess how well that went? The Australian government doesn't want fairness and justice, it wants us to die of exposure and starvation when we can't pay rent or for food; then there would be no more vulnerable poor to look after and more money to spend on trips to THE GOLD COAST TO BUY LUXURY APARTMENTS.