Just how prevalent is the bastardry of Centrelink in Canberra?
This morning I had the pleasure of being asked to provide a Statutory Declaration for a person that Centrelink requested them to obtain. Simplest option, visit Centrelink, fill out stat dec with all they need, get it signed by a prescribed person (a commonwealth employee with 5 years service) all in the office.
Sorry they say, it needs witnessing and signing by a JP. There is no difference under legislation, there is simply a list of prescribed persons, of which a JP is one. But you have to search for a JP, you have to find one available, you have to make further trips. And the office manager, who can witness Statutory Declarations will not sign this particular Statutory Declaration because they want you to chase around and find a JP.
It is really pointless complaining to Centrelink, you get the impression that they actually give medals to the staff members who do get the most complaints made against them. Welfare by attrition, jumping through hoops is the major criteria to qualify for payment.
Any other horror stories?