Post by Banjo on Nov 28, 2010 9:52:54 GMT 7
We seemed to have overlooked this path. I emailed him a while back....
The Commonwealth Ombudsman
I'm not sure whether this is grounds for a complaint, what I am seeking could possibly be described as an exemption from current Centrelink practice.
I am a 61 year old single male who has been receiving the Disability Support Pension for twelve years. I have been categorised as unemployable due to moderate to serious health issues and am not required for any retraining programs.
I currently spend a lot of time outside the country but Centrelink demands that I return to Australia every three months. I can see that this serves no purpose to either myself or Centrelink, by being overseas I become ineligible for several allowances like rent and phone so it could be argued that I save the taxpayer money.
I've approached my member of parliament and a state senator with this issue but haven't been able to gain any assistance, or even sympathy.
What I would like to see is the time I'm allowed outside of Australia extended or a way around the current practice found. My take on the Social Security Act is that I would have to be dying before I get an extension. The country I go to does not have a portability agreement with Australia.
I would be deeply grateful if you would take the time to consider my letter,
And got back....
Thank you for your email of 18 March 2010 about Centrelink in which you raise concerns with the requirements place upon you to return to Australian every thirteen weeks.
We cannot help you with this matter. The Commonwealth Ombudsman’s office investigates complaints about the actions of Australian Government agencies (that is, ‘Federal’ or ‘Commonwealth’ Government agencies). We examine the process of administrative decision-making to determine if an agency has followed its procedures properly and acted reasonably. We do not represent the person making a complaint (unlike a solicitor or advocacy organisation), nor do we represent the agency complained about. Rather we impartially investigate complaints and communicate with both the agency and the person making the complaint to determine whether a remedy can be provided.
We do not have the power to change policy and legislation. As your issue are not a matter of administration but rather a matter of politics we cannot help you with your complaint.
You can view a copy of our Service Charter and our brochure Making a complaint to the Ombudsman, which explain the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s role in more detail, at www.ombudsman.gov.au/.
Now that doesn't seem right to me, isn't our problem with Centrelink about it's discrimination... at administrative level... over who's allowed unlimited portability and who's not?
Welfare Rights Independent Social Security Handbook states....
Complaints to the Ombudsman may help to:
* speed up Centrelink action;
* obtain information or explanations;
* get mistakes corrected in a particular case;
* alter or waive decisions;
* recommend compensation when the person complaining acted in good faith, or when special circumstances exist;
* change the rules or procedures to be applied in future cases.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman
I'm not sure whether this is grounds for a complaint, what I am seeking could possibly be described as an exemption from current Centrelink practice.
I am a 61 year old single male who has been receiving the Disability Support Pension for twelve years. I have been categorised as unemployable due to moderate to serious health issues and am not required for any retraining programs.
I currently spend a lot of time outside the country but Centrelink demands that I return to Australia every three months. I can see that this serves no purpose to either myself or Centrelink, by being overseas I become ineligible for several allowances like rent and phone so it could be argued that I save the taxpayer money.
I've approached my member of parliament and a state senator with this issue but haven't been able to gain any assistance, or even sympathy.
What I would like to see is the time I'm allowed outside of Australia extended or a way around the current practice found. My take on the Social Security Act is that I would have to be dying before I get an extension. The country I go to does not have a portability agreement with Australia.
I would be deeply grateful if you would take the time to consider my letter,
And got back....
Thank you for your email of 18 March 2010 about Centrelink in which you raise concerns with the requirements place upon you to return to Australian every thirteen weeks.
We cannot help you with this matter. The Commonwealth Ombudsman’s office investigates complaints about the actions of Australian Government agencies (that is, ‘Federal’ or ‘Commonwealth’ Government agencies). We examine the process of administrative decision-making to determine if an agency has followed its procedures properly and acted reasonably. We do not represent the person making a complaint (unlike a solicitor or advocacy organisation), nor do we represent the agency complained about. Rather we impartially investigate complaints and communicate with both the agency and the person making the complaint to determine whether a remedy can be provided.
We do not have the power to change policy and legislation. As your issue are not a matter of administration but rather a matter of politics we cannot help you with your complaint.
You can view a copy of our Service Charter and our brochure Making a complaint to the Ombudsman, which explain the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s role in more detail, at www.ombudsman.gov.au/.
Now that doesn't seem right to me, isn't our problem with Centrelink about it's discrimination... at administrative level... over who's allowed unlimited portability and who's not?
Welfare Rights Independent Social Security Handbook states....
Complaints to the Ombudsman may help to:
* speed up Centrelink action;
* obtain information or explanations;
* get mistakes corrected in a particular case;
* alter or waive decisions;
* recommend compensation when the person complaining acted in good faith, or when special circumstances exist;
* change the rules or procedures to be applied in future cases.