Case examples
Read about similar cases to yours to find out how we could handle your complaint.
Case example Most vulnerable citizens denied hardship
Financial Councillors Victoria Executive Officer Dr Sandy Ross urges councils to show greater empathy to their most vulnerable citizens.
Tags: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 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 Siblings reunited after being separated
Byron was placed in foster care while his two sisters were placed in the care of their grandmother Johanna. She wanted to be able to care for Byron. We spoke with Child Protection and reviewed their records. They apologised to Johanna and placed Byron in her care, with his sisters.
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 Man banned from attending local council meetings
Jonathan complained about a Council banning him from its meetings for 12 months. He believed the ban breached his human rights. After looking into the matter, we found the Council's decision was not unreasonable or incompatible with human rights.
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 $13,000 ambulance bill withdrawn
Patrick had a heart attack. He was taken by an ambulance helicopter to a major hospital. Later, he received a $13,000 bill. Patrick's wife had paid for family ambulance membership on the morning of Patrick's heart attack. We spoke with Ambulance Victoria - they withdrew the bill.
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 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 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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