jolanda, you are getting a practical education on the value of democracy: when you don't have it, officers of government can do as they please.

but no sympathy, because you have only yourself to blame. you, and most ozzies are perfectly willing to tolerate oligarchy as long as it's not your toes caught in the government rollers.

you can't help it, you're rsised to submit, and submit you do

"Public servants are supposed to exercise their duties with impartiality, integrity and without bias and discrimination....and definately without malice......however our experience is that they are generally either workplace bullies or by their indifference or inaction they support the bullies."

Public servants are supposed to be a lot of things and adhere to the APS Codes of Conduct but in my experience if there is any butt covering to be done these principles fly out of the window.

During a whistle blowing experience in one department, myself and others were told that by raising certain issues we were at risk of ruining our otherwise good reputations and when I later left this department to work for another agency, I was asked by the boss "if he could count on my support when I go to work for blah blah". My only regret is that I did not have the courage to take some other issues further but it was a high security area and frankly staff were too scared to speak out - it was that sort of culture.

Jolanda the only other path you might be able to take is to make a complaint about a breach of the Public Service Codes of Conduct by those officers who lied or changed data to suit their own case. I am not sure what the State body is that might have jurisdiction but in the Commonwealth it is the Australian Public Service Commission as per the link below:

http://www.apsc.gov.au/conduct/index.html

The APSC could point you in the right direction.

Sometimes for peace of mind you just have to move on. There is always the media if you really feel strongly - ACA and TT I am sure need no prodding to take on a case of injustice.

Jolanda,
if it's any consolation at all, at least you didn't have to deal with Queensland authorities.
It does however appear that the NSW & the Qld Ombudsman could be related.

Hi Pelican. Thanks for the leads.

Thing is that letting it go would never give me peace of mind. I would actually struggle to live with myself if I didn't continue to persue this matter because my children would be disapointed in me and I would feel like I had failed in my duty of care. My children want me to fight this, they are very hurt by what is being done to them and me and they are more than aware about what is and isn't right. The fact that our plight is ignored by the authorities makes them feel angry and they want to push for things to change and they hope it will help make things better for everybody.

I am their mother and they targeted my children and they are bullying and neglecting children and if I do nothing then by my inaction I am turning my back on my children and other children and I am supporting or facilitating the bullies.....I can't help but feel very strongly about this.

If they were targeting me it would be different. But to target the children is really mean and cruel. They were innocent. That is such a low form of bullying that it should be against the law.

Imagine if in the past people hadn't of fought for what was fair and right. Where would we be now? That is where I fear we are headed. So I will spend as long as I can, probably the rest of my life, fighting for what should be our right!

Sorry to hear that you have also experienced 'the system'. Here's hoping for change!

Pleasure Jolanda. I do understand your resolve and admire your strength to keep pursuing your goal. I would probably feel the same as you if it were my children and they wanted me to continue.

I just know in my case the emotional weight of it was heavy but looking back I wish I had done more especially now that I know more about the sources available. We had one small win with the Ombudsman but needless to say those responsible have now been promoted out of the department.

Good luck.

Your complaint reeks of rotten fish. Take the decision and forget about it. You are chasing a gazel wearing gumboots. You have no way of changing a decision because you don't like it.