This morning, the National Union of students is shocked and saddened by the news of Rhys Couzza. We send our utmost sincere sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the 28 year old Melbourne boy, who’s life has been tragically cut short.
NUS understands that Couzza had been issued with Centrelink debt notices, an action that played part in exacerbating feelings of stress.
Since launching the system in November last year, thousands of innocent people have been dealt huge debt notices that they simply do not owe. When victims raised issues with centrelink they were told they had no choice but to pay the debt and some were directed to call Lifeline in a string of condescending tweets from the Centrelink Twitter account. Moreover, the scheme puts the onus on the person to prove their innocence which is unfair and unjust.
“Enough is enough. We’ve seen cut after cut after cut to welfare services that are designed to support the most vulnerable in our society” said NUS President, Sophie Johnston “Mental health is becoming more prevalent and those struggling deserve support from the Government; but instead the Liberals are pulling the rug out from underneath them.”
“This government is determined to hurt those who need help the most. A policy that targets the innocent and the vulnerable has a blatant disregard for people’s mental health and wellbeing.” Said NUS Welfare Officer Jill Molloy. “This scheme operates on confronting already disadvantaged people. They issue them with debts that they either can not afford or aren’t even theirs, force them to pay immediately by sending debt collectors to their doors or place the onus on the individual to prove the debt isn’t theirs”.
We truly do believe that this system has to be scrapped. A robo-debt system is unable to take into account that it is dealing with real people, people with faces, with names and with families. A system that places such immense pressure on young people is unfair and unreasonable.
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students