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Post by howdo on Apr 20, 2013 8:56:55 GMT 7
Banjo,can you elaborate on what those strong Australian ties were. Thanks.
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Post by Banjo on Apr 20, 2013 13:56:04 GMT 7
He had his name on a rental agreement here and he had kids he was paying school fees for and saw regularly... when he wasn't away.
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Post by howdo on Apr 21, 2013 8:22:50 GMT 7
Jesus, how the hell did they think they could win that one. Probably hoping he would just walk away without a fight. Clearly a very random decision.
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Post by tirolr on Aug 23, 2013 7:36:53 GMT 7
Banjo,Banker, Fedup ++++ I left for Samoa early May (the cold was affecting my artritis too much), still with some unfinished business regarding my DSP Portability, was told will cut off after 6 weeks... it did but kept bombarding Macklin's office with reference to what had been promised re a Memorandum of Understanding (2000) concerning Aus-aid volunteers and Pensioners? ? Weekly phone calls to Centrelink International. Finaly a positive reply from Kate Costello on Jenny Macklins request. My DSP has been re-instated, indefinate portability, with payments of arrears, and as well appreciating my 20 years effort as an Australian Overseas Volunteer. To all other DSP's... keep pushing, keep fighting....perserverence does pay off!!! Am relieved and happy the long battle is over and looking forward to my regular Christmas returns to see my Grand-children. Ray
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Post by hypoman on Aug 23, 2013 9:08:15 GMT 7
hey Ray, thats great news mate, so the DSP was reinstated, thats excellent and you were repaid what you missed out on. Its so good to hear of a win on UP mate!
were you granted UP on the grounds of health and nil work capacity or regarding the 2000 memorandum?
I'm pretty interested in this as My wife and I have been donating books, clothes and toys to the poor in asia since about 2007. I've been there on and off for nearly 10yrs now and hope to set it up as a proper charity but just dont know how to go about it. Im really no good at academic stuff like filling out forms but can definately get goods to those in need, and with a passion!
we set up a facebook page regarding the things we do and have evidence that we have been doing it for some time and are goood at it. We dont get any assistance from the govt or other aid organisations but the local schools and friends have been helping out with the goods and getting them to where they need to go.
I've told the c'link, govt and many politicians about what we do and how it keeps me sane whilst abroad and gives me focus while in oz way back when we first started in 07 but the politicians didnt want to kniw about it.
Im sure they dont like me helping the poor in abroad when i could be doing it in oz but the truth is these people need it more and my wife and kids are in asia. Also we are the ones personally getting the goods out there, so we know where its going.
I hoped there wwas some clause or something where I could get up on compasionate ground due to having family abroad and due to the help we do abroad for humanity but I dont knoiw if they would listen (as they havent in the past).
being stuck with mental issues wasnt the life I thought i would have when i was younger but im making the most of it while with my family who do keep me somewhat stabilised.
any advice would be most appreciarted. thanks...
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Post by fedup on Aug 24, 2013 5:45:39 GMT 7
Congrats trioir Well done,what is the memorandum thing?
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Post by tirolr on Sept 17, 2013 7:21:36 GMT 7
To fedup, I was finaly granted UP DSP on the basis of no further work capacity for health reasons and that I was less than one year off my OAP. My backgound as being an Australian Volunteer for Aus-aid projects the past 20years, with majority of friends support living in the Pacific where I have worked, also losing everything and my old age friends in the 2009 Victorian bushfires.. with a little bit of help from Aus-aid officials, I believe was the final push that did it. The 2000 memorandum of understanding involved Australian Pensioners not having their pensions affected because they did not receive any salary but Accommodation,Meals and expenses only, to be able to live a reasonable accustomed way whilst on an overseas project. (out of pocket expenses) unfortunately is still a grey area with Centrelink as to how it is interpreted. OAP over 65 only or/and DSP with no further work capacity... it seems that this Mou was affected with all the recent centrelink changes 2008-2013. In my case was the severity of health condition, no further work capacity, support people within overseas involvement, and closeness to OAP. My advice to you would be to keep on pluggin' MP's, write plenty letters, Doctor's reports, weekly phone calls and make a thorough nuisance of ones self, eventually you will get a good listener and doer'... above all perserverence and patience. Good Luck Mate.
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Post by Banjo on Sept 17, 2013 7:30:39 GMT 7
Congratulations tirolr, your story shows that people who never give up still have a chance in the system.
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Post by fedup on Sept 17, 2013 14:28:39 GMT 7
Congratulations Tiroir,glad things have gone your way,at the moment I am halfway there,ie,mutual agreement country,and all it entails,but I have far from finished fighting these clowns,and will fight them to the death .immoral INHUMANE,illogical,despicable policies.
Don't trust them even if you have up,never let your guard down and monitor their policies.
ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM
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Post by anthonydsp on Sept 17, 2013 14:35:41 GMT 7
congrats tirolr enjoy ur freedom mate and enjoy the advantages of u/p
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Post by tirolr on Oct 2, 2013 4:53:16 GMT 7
fedup, banjo, banker, hypoman, anthonydsp, .... The following information may be of assistance to some members, who could be in a similar situation I had recently been in, regarding Aus-aid Overseas Volunteers. You will note in the last paragraph, that Centrelink is fully aware of any agreement regarding this... but it seems that certain staff make their own interpretations. Please read on........ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many ABV volunteers are eligible to receive benefits from the Australian Government – Department of Human Services (Centrelink) in the way of allowances, pensions and health care cards. Unfortunately for some, the act of going overseas to volunteer means that on return these benefits may have been stalled or cancelled as they have been out of the country and it is a process to sort the payments out. We believe the issue is that if an Australian citizen is overseas for more than 6 weeks Centrelink cancels the cards - the system is linked to an individual’s passport so it can track the dates people on benefits are overseas. This is applicable to any Australian leaving the country for over 6 weeks- even tourists- so is not specific to volunteers. Therefore a larger issue that is beyond ABV’s ability to influence. ABV has investigated whether we have any opportunity to assist with informing the department of your deployment to ease the risk of your payments being a hassle. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to directly contact the department in relation to this, but we would like to collate comments from our volunteers and submit them with other findings to AusAID to hopefully gain awareness on the issue. If you could please fill out this very short questionnaire that would be much appreciated. www.surveymonkey.com/s/TWGG9QRFor your reference, I have attached the section from the volunteer considerations letter in regards to this issue. It is also available on the ABV website. “For volunteers receiving any type of pension or benefit: Centrelink has advised that reimbursements paid to voluntary workers for out of pockets expenses are NOT assessed as income for pensions or benefits. The living allowance paid to a volunteer by the host organisation and / or ABV during an assignment is to assist with the cost of food and incidental items, and is not classed as income. However as each volunteer’s situation is unique, it is essential that you discuss with staff at your nearest Centrelink office the implications of your undertaking an assignment for ABV. Centrelink must always be advised that you are departing Australia. The telephone number is 13 2300 and the website is www.centrelink.gov.au”
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