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Post by rodcourt49 on Nov 4, 2011 15:51:43 GMT 7
Jesus, some very interesting proposals you put forward especially leasing the house. I have been married twice and I fear even a pretend wife would turn on me eventually! Your not a member of the forum I see however are you a pensioner and do you have contacts within c/l ? You seem very certain about centre links war on poor people looking for a better life in Asia Do they really want to reel us in that badly? Hopefully pensioners who are pulled up and questioned about residency after 1/1/2012 will tell there story here. ..I can't wait to tell mine..in fact I got so excited about it i called Centrelink last week asking for a copy of their Residency Questionnaire so as i could prepare myself with the relevant answers..she declined saying only certain questions would apply and that ALL recipients would be interviewed. I added that everything i do out of Australia is exactly the same as i did when i was in Australia with the only thing missing being my job/good health. (I probably have more frequent contact with my children now than if i was living just around the corner from them in Australia)..it's the way families' are..they have their things to do and i mine). I also hold a current State Driver's Licence, bank account, social membership with former work colleagues, i still march for my deceased father on Anzac Day when I am able and tend my parents graves and vote. She declined to answer telling me to wait for their call 'sometime in December'. She added that if i was still outside Australia as of January 1, 2012 I would no longer be eligible for DSP. Myself along with all of us who are in their sights are certainly feeling very uneasy about this. ROD.
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Post by Banjo on Nov 4, 2011 16:37:59 GMT 7
When would you normally have returned Rod?
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Post by rowdy on Nov 4, 2011 16:52:18 GMT 7
Jesus, some very interesting proposals you put forward especially leasing the house. I have been married twice and I fear even a pretend wife would turn on me eventually! Your not a member of the forum I see however are you a pensioner and do you have contacts within c/l ? You seem very certain about centre links war on poor people looking for a better life in Asia Do they really want to reel us in that badly? Hopefully pensioners who are pulled up and questioned about residency after 1/1/2012 will tell there story here. ..I can't wait to tell mine..in fact I got so excited about it i called Centrelink last week asking for a copy of their Residency Questionnaire so as i could prepare myself with the relevant answers..she declined saying only certain questions would apply and that ALL recipients would be interviewed. I added that everything i do out of Australia is exactly the same as i did when i was in Australia with the only thing missing being my job/good health. (I probably have more frequent contact with my children now than if i was living just around the corner from them in Australia)..it's the way families' are..they have their things to do and i mine). I also hold a current State Driver's Licence, bank account, social membership with former work colleagues, i still march for my deceased father on Anzac Day when I am able and tend my parents graves and vote. She declined to answer telling me to wait for their call 'sometime in December'. She added that if i was still outside Australia as of January 1, 2012 I would no longer be eligible for DSP. Myself along with all of us who are in their sights are certainly feeling very uneasy about this. ROD. When I was last in Oz. I called centrelink to tell them I was back in the country. The person I spoke to said, "oh you have been subject to an investigation". I didn't say anything, but I next spoke to centrelink I asked them about what I had been told. This next person then told me that it had been an internal investigation re my overseas travel and that all was okay. My view is that they are conducting an audit on DSP's as we speak.
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Post by Banjo on Nov 4, 2011 17:47:49 GMT 7
Hard to say... I was investigated back in 2006, cleared as a resident, and never heard anything about it until I got my file this year. The 2012, Jan 1st sounds a bit ominous though. I just automatically trash everything they say unless it's in writing, good or bad.
And a reminder that last year we were looking down the barrel at THIS
The Australian Government will crack down on people on the Disability Support Pension (DSP) who live permanently overseas but return to Australia every 13 weeks in order to retain their pension.
From January 2011, only DSP recipients permanently residing in Australia will be able to continue to receive the DSP except under limited and specific circumstances.
Even though only Australian residents can lodge a claim for the DSP, and those on DSP can only be absent from Australia for up to 13 weeks, there are cases of DSP recipients living permanently overseas and flying back to Australia every 13 weeks to continue receiving the pension.
The Government will close this loophole to ensure the system is fair and effective.
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Post by rodcourt49 on Nov 5, 2011 7:19:43 GMT 7
..I need to be back in Australia before December 6th. Centrelink told me my interview would be by telephone sometime in December..i presume after i return thus leaving me stranded overseas with no means of returning, no support and no capacity to repay. Seeing as the interview will be by phone one can only assume it will be short and sweet, perhaps 7 questions. (Funny how all this added pressure plays on your mind..since receiving my letter i have had "interview nightmares"..to date the score is - "C" 12, customer "Rod" 2. Where there is light there is hope!
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Post by Banjo on Nov 5, 2011 8:13:32 GMT 7
Centrelink International branch manager, Ms Michalina Stawskyj and Mr Philip Moufarrige, Section Manager, International Policy, are on file saying we wouldn't be abandoned in Asia, in that we would be given time to complete our thirteen weeks away. As they said this to a Senate sub-committee one would hope that their is some truth in it, although it did happen to me this year. Mr Moufarrige—It does. If they have started a 13-week cycle before 1 January, they will complete that 13- week cycle under previous legislation.
and... Ms Stawyskyj—There would be some transition. Mr Moufarrige—There will be at least three months. Given the current portability arrangements allow for 13 weeks, there will be at least a three-month window in which assessments will take place.
Edit: The 1st Jan referred to in this case is this year.
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Post by Banjo on Nov 15, 2011 18:36:12 GMT 7
After a strange post from a guest tonight which hinted broadly at the current whereabouts in Asia of one of our members I'm going to withdraw the privilege allowing guests to post.
It bothers me a bit, it will close a window that allowed anyone to contribute relevant facts and opinions but posting someone's personal data, even in a jocular fashion, without their consent isn't part of the plan.
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Post by rodcourt49 on Nov 19, 2011 6:29:05 GMT 7
..Hi all. Here is email I received yesterday from Centrelink about my situation regarding testing me about 'residency rules'. I'm sorry if it bores some of you but it is an important and relevant topic to many of us at the moment. You will see in the latter part of the message how Centrelink is making strong and frequent referral to my 'intentions' in the future and whether I am 'returning' before January 1, 2012. Of course I have already informed them in great detail in my initial email to them where I supplied all information in answer to the parts of their 'residency definition' ie ties to Australia, assests, property, frequency of travel. They insist they will cut my DSP if I have not returned within the next 13 week period after January 1, 2012. I will put up the results of this interview after November 24th. ROD. ========================================================== From: ISC.WTW.T <isc.wtw.t.Isc.Wtw.T@humanservices.gov.au> To: Rod Court Cc: xxxxxx xxxxxxx Sent: Friday, 18 November 2011 10:16 AM Subject: [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Mr Court
Our Office, Department of Human Services, Centrelink - International received your email we received on 9 Nov 2011.
Thank you for providing a comprehensive detailed information about your current circumstances, which was attached to your email.
You requested us to consider your information with a view to giving your case favourable consideration to allow yourself to continue to travel overseas for up to 13 weeks, to seek medical treatment.
Our office sent you a letter dated 25 Aug 2011 advising we are currently conducting a review of your Disability Support Pension. This review relates to the recent changes to the residence rules for Disability Support Pension.
Due to the Australian government legislation changes from 1 July 2011 only permanent Australian residents are eligible for Disability Support Pension. This means that Australia needs to be a customer's permanent place of residence in order for their Disability Support Pension to continue being paid.
In deciding whether a customer is residing in Australia under social security law, Centrelink takes into account factors such as the customer's domestic, financial and family ties to Australia, their ties to other countries, the frequency of any absences from Australia and the reasons for such absences.
If you decide to remain a resident of ......., your Disability Support Pension will be cancelled on 1 January 2012 or the end of the 13 week portability expiry period in 2012. If you decide to return to Australia to reside permanently and provide evidence to show you are residing in Australia your payment will continue to be paid into the future.
What we need to know from you, is what your future intentions are, whether you will be returning to Australia before 1 January 2012 or continue to reside in .....?
To discuss this matter further with you, we will contact you on Thursday, 24 November 2011 at 3.00 pm, Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Regards!
for xxxxxxxxx
Customer Support Team (WTW) Department of Human Services - International
I've removed the Centrelink officer's name from the letter, could you get back to me if you have a problem with that?
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Post by Banker on Nov 19, 2011 7:01:49 GMT 7
Rod, Wish you good luck with this and I hope you will appeal any wrong decision by them. Appealing their stupid decisions seems the only way to go.
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Post by Banker on Nov 19, 2011 7:07:27 GMT 7
I watched a news video last night about a Khmer woman that had cheated C/L of over $100,000 the interesting thing was what C/L manager said in his War Room "We are taking a close look at pensioners that travel overseas." You can watch the video here: aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8375555/centrelink-scammer-justice
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Post by zorro1 on Nov 19, 2011 9:47:14 GMT 7
..Hi all. Here is email I received yesterday from Centrelink about my situation regarding testing me about 'residency rules'. I'm sorry if it bores some of you but it is an important and relevant topic to many of us at the moment. You will see in the latter part of the message how Centrelink is making strong and frequent referral to my 'intentions' in the future and whether I am 'returning' before January 1, 2012. Of course I have already informed them in great detail in my initial email to them where I supplied all information in answer to the parts of their 'residency definition' ie ties to Australia, assests, property, frequency of travel. They insist they will cut my DSP if I have not returned within the next 13 week period after January 1, 2012. I will put up the results of this interview after November 24th. ROD. ========================================================== From: ISC.WTW.T <isc.wtw.t.Isc.Wtw.T@humanservices.gov.au> To: Rod Court Cc: xxxxxx xxxxxxx Sent: Friday, 18 November 2011 10:16 AM Subject: [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED] What we need to know from you, is what your future intentions are, whether you will be returning to Australia before 1 January 2012 or continue to reside in .....? To discuss this matter further with you, we will contact you on Thursday, 24 November 2011 at 3.00 pm, Australian Eastern Standard Time. Regards! for xxxxxxxxx Customer Support Team (WTW) Department of Human Services - International I've removed the Centrelink officer's name from the letter, could you get back to me if you have a problem with that? That bit in red almost looks like a bluff. Good luck with your interview
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Post by rodcourt49 on Nov 19, 2011 16:13:27 GMT 7
..Bluff Red..I must put this new colour in my colouring in book..however, it is always my intent to return to Australia as I am only ever temporarily absent for 13 weeks..and once my compensation case has been finalised I will return full time and resume my life. At present I am unable to do that in my country of birth, hence having had to look for a neighbouring country with good infrastructure where I can emulate Australia. That's it, plain and simple math.
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Post by Banjo on Nov 19, 2011 16:40:56 GMT 7
Better maths to just travel in Thailand for thirteen weeks at time and spend a few days in your REAL home in Australia between holidays.
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Post by zorro1 on Nov 21, 2011 9:32:47 GMT 7
Yes mate anyone can study online and if your on DSP you only need to pay $50 for the student materials and handling charge per year. The exemption for the TAFE NSW charge of about $704 is available to anyone in Australia on a DSP. I study Business Administration Cert III. It's fairly easy and they provide you with the assignment before you even study the subject. In all subjects this year I have just done the assignment without any other study. You do need to also buy textbooks but it's not overly expensive and I have not bought any of them yet lol because I have only done the assignment. You will get a Education Entry payment yearly of $208 and then $62.40 per fortnight. Im considering this as another option for strengthening residency ties. Have looked online in W.A because its the shortest time and cheapest flight and there is very cheap accommodation available. Being locked into a lease plus all amenities in your own name would help IMO. The avg difference between rent paid and rent allowance is approx $60 which could easily get offset by subletting. Redirecting mail if necessary costs $70/week. Got to stay on our toes with these wishy washy resident laws.
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