Hi Glen,
I've watched with horror and frustration, and seen the dramatic effect it has had on your livelihood and health to be the one with your finger stuck in the dike as the raging seas pound away. Not daring to get involved as I don't know the full details of your matter. I would venture to say that you haven't drilled down to the fine details either, being too close to the action be able to put it into writing to cover all the aspects.
There is a glimmer of hope I can offer you, that may strike firmly at this grave injustice that hasn't been remedied.
Will you join the top of the queue for a mention at the proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) about to start operating in Australia? See
https://www.ag.gov.au/integrity/nati...ion-commission - it has been a long time coming, and while it may not be the best that is available, at least something has finally been agreed by the politicians.
They will be keen to show they have teeth, and if there is a political witch-hunt to be made out, they will possibly take the ball and run far with it. I must comment cynically, as with the Robodebt Royal Commission, if the current government can score political mileage from it, rest assured they will support your case for their own ends.
Understandably, the incumbent politician Catherine King will possibly not have any involvement in what has happened in the past, and will not be wise to get involved, so will be able to steer clear of getting caught in the backlash when the questions start to fly. Previous ministers from the other party would probably be quaking in their boots once called. Rest assured the public servants and qangos will all develop
SEVERE amnesia! Be sure the paper trail is carefully preserved and consistent to combat this.
I would recommend you have
professional legal help to navigate your submission however. I would suggest you are out of your depth here if you continue to fly solo. A
GoFundMe campaign may be one way of ensuring enough funds are raised to start the ball rolling.
You should also have the media prepped. Manufactured outrage in social media eventually got the Robodebt Royal Commission rolling.
I can advise from observation over many years in the hallowed halls of our federal parliament that Inquiries and Royal Commissions are never announced unless the outcomes are known
beforehand, and the scapegoats
carefully identified, and their foreign postings to cushy overseas jobs
pre-determined. In your case a Royal Commission may not be necessary, as the scapegoats will be clearly identified in the pages of these forums, and submissions your legal representative will put forward on your behalf.
I cannot emphasise strongly enough that you
definitely need professional assistance, as you will be pitted against the public service, advised by the Attorney General, and their lawyers. I'm sorry to be blunt, but the sad history documented in these forums clearly shows you are out of your depth against these faceless qangos. You need to hit them hard the first time so they don't have time to again draw their wagons into a circle.
Plan your strategy well, and be bold!
You may find a keen young lawyer that would be willing to work pro bono (free) as a stepping stone to their fame and fortune in taking your case on.
Watch the Australian movie 'The Castle' for ideas. [You want Lawrence Hammill, not Dennis Denuto helping you!]
See
- the ninety minutes of deep humour masking a very serious subject of truth and fundamental rights may brighten up your day considerably. It is nearly compulsory viewing for legal students in Australia, and will possibly clarify your mind in what direction to take. [Fun fact: the house near YMEN that was part of the movie is sadly recently gone up country, but you can see the street just over the fence]
Best of luck with it, and I hope your health issues are temporary and fully reversible.