Case examples
Read about similar cases to yours to find out how we could handle your complaint.
Case example Ratepayer drowning in debt denied relief
Dean was experiencing financial hardship and his local council was less than understanding. We investigated how councils treat people in situations like Dean.
Tags:Case example Woman forced to relieve herself in empty water bottle
Tamika and her child were detained for five hours at Melbourne Airport while they were assigned a quarantine hotel. Tamika was refused access to a toilet whilst there
Tags:Case example Church seeks intervention for Support Fund oversight
A Victorian church applied for a grant through the Business Support Fund. Their application was denied because the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions didn't properly check the church's eligibility. We contacted the Department and they reassessed the claim, approving the $10,000 grant.
Tags:Case example Kylie’s right to maintain her connection to her Aboriginal community and culture
Kylie is a young Aboriginal woman from regional Victoria living in out-of-home residential care, provided over time by three different Community Service Organisations engaged by Child Protection. Kylie’s mother contacted us because she was worried about her daughter’s care.
Tags:Case example Brian’s right to protection from degrading treatment after having a seizure
Brian called our office from the medical unit in prison after he had an epileptic seizure and wet the bed. Brian said staff provided him with a change of clothes, but there was no clean bedding available. As a result, Brian had to sleep in the wet bedding overnight.
Tags:Case example Public housing tenant helped to fix flooding of her property
Barbara’s public housing property flooded several times. She contacted DHHS and her local Council but felt that not enough action was taken. We spoke to both organisations. The Council identified the problem and DHHS began works to fix it.
Tags:Case example $362 towing fee refunded
Peter was in a car accident and was taken to hospital. Someone moved his car into a spot that became a Clearway that afternoon. His car was impounded and he had to pay $362 to get it back. He asked for a refund but this was refused. We contacted the Department of Transport. Peter received a refund.
Tags:Case example Assisting public housing tenant with maintenance requests
Diane's washing machine broke down. She lived in public housing and had significant health issues. The machine had been installed by the Office of Housing and so Diane asked them for it to be fixed. When she didn't hear back, she contacted us. Her washing machine was replaced.
Tags:Case example Prisoner locked in cell contaminated with faeces
Lincoln was kept in a cell where there were faeces for more than 17 hours before he was given cleaning equipment. He felt degraded and humiliated by the incident. We spoke to the prison and they apologised to Lincoln. They updated their procedures to avoid similar incidents occurring.
Tags:Case example Parking fine withdrawn on compassionate grounds
Ron received a fine for parking in a disability space without a valid disability parking permit. His permit had expired however it was later renewed by the Council. Ron's lawyer asked the Council to withdraw the fine. They refused. We contacted the Council and they withdrew the fine.
Tags:Case example Apology given to carer who gave up care of infant
Michelle had been caring for infant Lucy, who Child Protection placed in her care. During the pandemic, Michelle was told Lucy needed to visit her parents. Michelle was concerned about risks as she has two medically vulnerable children. She felt she had no choice but to relinquish care of Lucy.
Tags:Case example Flooding issues to be addressed by Council
Janine’s property kept flooding due to poor drainage. Her Council undertook to upgrade the drainage system in 2021-22. Janine asked for this to be brought forward. We spoke with the Council - they offered a short-term measure that Janine felt was unsuitable. The priority is on the 2021-22 upgrade.
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