To the woman that had obviously abused Centrelink staff that hung up on her.
Firstly, how can Centrelink staff positively ID on the 'phone. You say you are your daughter's mother but how are they to know that?
Secondly, they take a lot of abuse from the public so if they hung up on you, YOU must have sworn at them. I have no doubt about it.
You will have to seek a court order to have your daughter returned to you. Since she is 16 years of age, what do you want? Have her hog-tied and delivered to you? She cannot be forced to return home against her will. She will only run away again, At least if she is getting welfare she is not selling drugs or herself to make a living. You are only speculating about your daughter being in danger. Centrelink says she is safe. Be happy she is safe. You want her home for YOUR sake, not hers. Stop being a control-freak.
The option for you is to write to the Ombudsman or the Minister. I know that this website advises not to put thingsin writing but do you really believe the Minister has time to listen to your whiney complaints about his/her portfolio staff doing their job.
A word of warning: Given that you have already been rude to Centrelink staff you may want to word any complaints to the Minister VERY carefully. THEY already know you are a troublemaker. Any threats will have you on an ASIO file before you have even bought a stamp.
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My daughter went for a 9 days holiday at Augusta with a family. Upon her return to Perth on 25/1/04, she did not come back home as arranged. Instead she went to Centrelink, Morley Office WA and applied for Homeless Youth Allowance (YA) without my acknowledgement, and moved in a 92 years old gentleman's house in Claremont. When Judy Collins, the Senior Social Worker of Centrelink Morley office, contacted me, I requested to give me time organising counselling of a school's psychologist to establish why my daughter would leave home just before her year 12 started. I would like to be sure that my daughter knew the advantages and disadvantages of being home and living with a 92 years old gentleman. I said that I would keep Ms Collins informed the progress of counselling. On 2/2/04, I left a message for Ms Collins to the answering machine in the morning. On returning call, Ms Collins told me that she would make a decision based on the evidences collected. I asked what they were so I might give explanations or clarify some issues. She said that they were confidential. A few days later, the school psychology confirmed that my daughter had been granted Homeless YA. I was devastated and questioned Ms Collins how a 16 year old who had a safe home could get Homeless YA. Ms Collins replied that it was confidential and the decision was made carefully. Her advice to me was nothing else I could do just to take my daughter to have a cup of coffee to renew the relationship. I was furious and said that your decision related to my daughter's future, please be serious about it. I would do what I could to achieve the best of my daughter. I suggested if we (all parties) could sit down to verify the evidences. Ms Collins said that it was not necessary. I told Ms Collins that I strongly disagreed her decision and requested a review. Ms Collins said that I did not have any rights as it was not my application and payment. I rang Centrelink, Customer Relation and spoke to Frank, who confirmed that I could do nothing but accept the situation as nobody I could make my complaint to. Then, I contacted the school psychologist on 11/3/04 and requested him to pass my written document dated 2/2/04, in which I addressed my daughter's safety issue, onto Ms Collins. Because I felt my daughter's safety was on the line. I said to the psychologist that Ms Collins must be informed my concerns. If something happened to my daughter, Ms Collins should be accountable for it. The worse happened on 18/3/04. I got a phone call in the very early morning from 92 year old gentleman. He told me that my daughter walked out on him over a disagreement in the night of 17/3/04 and did not come back. As Claremont had 3 unsolved murder cases, he had reported to Police that my daughter was missing. I rang the school psychologist and asked him to find out if my daughter was in school that day. I also rang Ms Collins and left a message. Later afternoon, Ms Collins returned my call and told me that I should contact the school and all friends to locate my daughter. I told her that I had done that and repeat this statement seven times during the conversation. Ms Collins said that I was all over the places and talked over her. I, then, asked her if she had any children. I deeply concerned about my daughter's safety and behavior. So far I did not know where my daughter was and where she would go since now on, I was anxious and felt that Ms Collins should help. Finally, Ms Collins agreed to try next day. On 19/3/04, Ms Collins advised me that my daughter was safe, but could not tell me where my daughter was going to stay. I informed Ms Collins that my daughter did not sleep all night and wondered around the Claremont in the dark until about 6.30am. By getting Homeless YA, my daughter got a wrong message that was she could do what she liked. Nobody could interfere. The danger was there. My daughter could be raped, drugged and murdered on that night. However, i
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