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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