Requesting Contact from Centrelink in Writing Only
Dear Social Security Appeals Tribunal,
I am querying whether Centrelink, and its FOI team, have the right to ignore my request for communication to be in writing only.
I have repeatedly asked for responses in writing and in a manner I can understand (too much Centrelink terminology).
I have been falsely accused of having a Centrelink debt (during the time I was a working student and while briefly unemployed as a graduate) and have not been on any payments for many years.
My previous correspondence in their office and phone has been misleading and did not resolve any problems. Centrelink has refused to provide alleged debt documents which match my evidence/records and only released part of my information. Most of it is incorrect or incomplete.
Can I compel Centrelink and its FOI team to only respond to me in writing when “telling me about how I have an alleged debt”. I am asking consistently for writing so I can see where the so called debt comes from and a clear, logical manner to how this has come about.
Yours faithfully
To whom it may concern
I refer to the email below sent on 30 January 2018. According to section
15 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) a request for
access to documents under the FOI Act must be in writing and provide
sufficient information as is reasonably necessary to enable me to identify
the documents requested. As your request does not meet these requirement
I am unable to process your request.
If you would like to make a new request please provide the following
information:
• Your full name
• Postal Address
• Date of birth
• Approximate date of your application or applications before the
tribunal or the most recent application if there has been more than one
and any reference numbers on tribunal correspondence that you may have.
Yours sincerely
Siobhan Jordan
FOI Officer
Administrative Appeals Tribunal
T: 03 8626 4945
E: [1][email address]
[2]www.aat.gov.au