To whom it may concern,
I am a client of AMES Preston in Victoria.
I have recently commenced full-time employment as of 2 August 2016. Please note that I acquired this job on my own, with no assistance from AMES Preston.
I was due to attend an appointment with AMES on Tuesday 16 August. On Monday 15 August at approximately 3pm, I called AMES, spoke to a person named Renu and informed her that I would not be attending the following day’s appointment as I was now working full-time. Renu immediately asked that I attend their office that day to provide details of my new employer. I responded that I would be unable to do this and that as I had found this job without assistance from AMES, I was not obliged to provide this information to them.
On Tuesday 16 August, I received a call from AMES. I do not know the name of this person as there was enormous amount of interference and I could barely hear him. This person also had an incredibly heavy accent. I explained that I did not attend the previous day’s appointment due to my new job and that I had indeed called AMES the day before to inform them of this.
This person stated that I would need to attend a new appointment on Thursday 18 August to supply the details of my new employer. I replied that I was not legally obliged to do this and as such, would not be attending the 18 August appointment. I informed this person that I had found my new job entirely on my own without the assistance of AMES. I also pointed out yet again that I was now working full-time, I could not take take time off work to visit AMES.
I was not confident that this person fully understood what I said and requested that another person call me back. When my phone rang again, it was the same person. The conversation followed in the same vein as the previous call and I again requested that someone else call me back. No one did.
Despite informing AMES and Centrelink of my new full-time employment status, I have received numerous text messages from both AMES and Centrelink. Please see below.
Received from AMES on 15/08/16 at 4.11pm.
Hi Rozalia. Your appointment is booked on 18/08/16 at 9.30am. Please bring your pay slip when you come for appointment.
Received from AMES on 18/08/16 at 3.55pm.
Hi Rozalia. Pls call us ASAP on 03 9474 7100 as you missed an appt & your Centrelink payment has been suspended under the law. AMES Employment Preston.
Received from AMES on 19/08/16 at 9.08am
Hi Rozalia. Pls call us ASAP on 03 9474 7100 as you missed an appt & your Centrelink payment has been suspended under the law. AMES Employment Preston.
Received from Centrelink on 19/08/16 at 9.11am
Your payment has stopped as you did not attend an appointment. Please call your employment services provider ASAP on 03 9474 7100. Do not reply by SMS.
Received from AMES on 20/08/16 at 9.11am
Hi Rozalia. Pls call us ASAP on 03 9474 7100 as you missed an appt & your Centrelink payment has been suspended under the law. AMES Employment Preston.
Received from AMES on 22/08/16 at 9.09am
Hi Rozalia. Pls call us ASAP on 03 9474 7100 as you missed an appt & your Centrelink payment has been suspended under the law. AMES Employment Preston.
Received on 22/08/16 from the department of employment at 10.14am
Broadmeadows jobs fair. Hi ROZALIA. Don’t forget the Broadmeadows jobs fair is on 24 August form 2pm – 7pm at the Hume Global Learning Centre in Broadmeadows. More info at http://bit.ly/2a378H4. We hope to see you there. Department of Employment.
I have spoken to AMES on 3 occasions to inform them of my new job. I have also updated my details with Centrlelink via the “mygov” website and have declared my earnings. As a result I am ineligible to receive any type of benefit so I am at a loss as to why both AMES and Centrlelink have taken such lengths to inform me that my Newstart payments have been cancelled.
I am very disappointed in the behaviour of AMES. This is not the first time I have had doubts as to their ability to act with honesty and integrity so I have also attached a separate document detailing my recent experience with this taxpayer funded organisation.
I request that you investigate AMES’ behaviour and ask that they stop sending me texts requesting that I attend their office to provide my new employment details. I would also request that AMES inform Centrelink and the Department of Employment that I did not attend my 16 August appointment due to my new full-time employment.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Rozie