Case examples
Read about similar cases to yours to find out how we could handle your complaint.
Case example Tereza’s right to protection from degrading treatment at a COVID-19 test site
Tereza uses a wheelchair and went to a drive-through COVID-19 testing site. After waiting nearly four hours, she asked staff to use the toilet. Tereza was told she would have to return to the start of the line if she left.
Tags:Case example Elderly couple in community housing without water and heating for days
An elderly couple living in community housing were left without hot water and heating for five days after an electrician caused the appliances to stop working.
Tags:Case example $3400 in traffic fine fees waived
A missing date on a driver nomination form saw a $180 traffic fine grow to $3,400, as attempts to resolve the issue via an internal review process dragged on for months.
Tags:Case example Disability pensioner’s $3000 in rent relief win
A woman was denied rent relief after she could not produce a bank statement showing a loss of earnings after a job she was offered was rescinded because of COVID-19.
Tags: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.
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