Does dealing with government departments frustrate you?
By mipen2006
@mipen2006 (5528)
Australia
September 8, 2009 8:33pm CST
I am curently coming to terms with dealing with two Australian Government departments.
First, I have applied to have my wife's visa extended for a further three months. We were told on the phone this was a reasonably simple procedure. However, after filling in the forms, and answering numerous questions, the officer said everything should be ok, as it was my wife's sixth visit, but he would just check with his supervisor before issuing the extension. On return, he advised us that before an extension could be granted, my wife would have to undergo a chest X-ray, and also prove to the government she had adequate funds for the extra time, or at least could access such funds. This is her sixth visit in ten years! She was given just seven days to supply the extra paperwork. This from a department that takes months to answer, if they answer at all, any inquiries.
As for social security, well they only know how to E-mail standard replies. I had one such a reply, and went into the office where they noted my query, and said they would reply to me by email. You guessed it, a duplicate email arrived, except a new name appeared as manager. And their motto is "We offer you options" I was unable to speak to either of the people who signed as manager.
So how do you deal with government departments in your country? Do you have a story?
2 people like this
9 responses
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
14 Sep 09
Hi my friend Mipen. Good luck with your wife getting an extension on her visa. I am divorced but I did get married to an Australian man when I was in my early twenties. I met him when I was on my year long working holiday visa. He had an Irish mother that had emigrated to Australia so he had an Australian passport and an Irish passport. It was easy for him to live in the UK but it wasn't for me to live in Australia. My cousin emigrated to Australia and she had to have an English test. Well she is a native English speaker. The Australian Emigration Service is tough. I have heard some stories about them seeking out people that illegally overstay their visas. One girl went to the Northern Territory and they came out to get her from the tour she was on. Max.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
14 Sep 09
Hi max, I know how tough Immigration can be, but we had the interview, and have ticked all the boxes, so. as long as the X-ray is good, and I believe that it is, the extension should be granted. This would mean my wife has to return to Thailand on, or before the sixth of January. This would only leave me about a year to qualify for a portable pension, which is my goal. I am praying, and hope to get a yes next week. Thanks for responding.
@ashbelx (92)
• Philippines
10 Sep 09
Our government offices here in the Philippines aren't that good either. of course not all, but majority of them. They would claim to be public servants but the way they deliver services are not only insufficient but late too. Last month I mailed a check and I particularly told the post office clerk that I need it to be safe coz it's a check. she didn't even bother to answer me. she just stamped it and threw it aside. She didn't even bother to put it in the mailbox!For days i couldn't sleep well thinking it might have gotten lost. Luckily it didn't.i think government employees need proper etiquette seminar. they must learn how to entertain public queries. After all, we're paying them with our taxes.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
10 Sep 09
You raise a very interesting point here ashbelx, and that is we DO pay their wages, but you would never think it the way some treat us. Thank you for your response.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
9 Sep 09
We are not talking about our Social Security Department are we? If you feel frustrated, angry and none the wiser when you hang up the phone, you must be talking about the same place I have to call at least three times when I have a question because I am bound to receive three different answers to the same question! I avoid talking to them but like you, I find it is unavoidable some times.
I used to work for a government department (not social security) and strangely enough the phone centre was quite strict with the staff in regards to not keeping clients waiting, efficiency etc which used to amaze me considering the service that was being delivered. I didn’t work in the call centre; I was in admin and I took the brunt from a lot of disgruntled customers.
I hope you get your issues resolved mipen, you’re dealing with a couple of different departments by the sound of it and I can only imagine how exasperated you must feel!
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
9 Sep 09
The adjective frustrated isn't nearly strong enough here. paula. I also hed an issue with Vic Roads, where four visits to their office resulted in four different answers. Finally, on the fifth visit, the clerk went to the supervisor, and, you guessed it, a fifth - not negatioble - albeit different result.
I love the some of the motos of these Government departments, especially, Sosial Security - "giving you options." You're kidding is the bit they forgot to add. Thanks for your reply and support, paula.
1 person likes this
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
9 Sep 09
There's a part of me that thinks all government departments are set up to make things as difficult as possible for you to get anything from them. So, if you have to run in circles and do something 12 times only to have to start all over again, there's a strong possibility that you'll get frustrated, or tired, and just give up. I work in health care and our patients have daily access to a social worker who's job it is to get them through all those hoops as painlessly as possible, it really helps a bunch.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
9 Sep 09
It would seem from responses here that it's the same world wide. I guess by running people round in circles, or not answering inquiries in a reasonable time, would lead many to give up, and that;s what these departments want. Thanks for your input, uicbear.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
9 Sep 09
It doesn't matter what country you are from. I don't think there is a soul in existence that is not frustrated when dealing with their country's government. We are often treated like a number unless government needs a favor from us.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
9 Sep 09
Ahh sender, how true! At most bovernment departments nowadays, they ask for your number before your name. Thanks for your input.
@good2go2001 (915)
• United States
9 Sep 09
the US isnt any better they mess everything up! We recently had to deal with FEMA for a natural Desaster it was a mess! Still is a mess 2 years later.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
9 Sep 09
Everything the government touches here in Australia seems to get messed up, and that happens no matter which party is in control! Thanks for your imput.
@blungel0830 (841)
• Philippines
9 Sep 09
All this time I thought it was just our country's government agencies that were so inefficient and full of red tape.
I went to submit our annual income tax report at the internal revenue office. No payment is required since we are exempted from paying income taxes. We just need to file the annual income tax report. The person who received my report said I have not filed our quarterly report. I told her that we are tax exempt and likewise exempted from filing the quarterly report. She acknowledged that I am right about that rule. However, she said the system is not set up to recognize the exemption that is why I still need to submit the quarterly report. Why on earth should I submit a report that we both know is not necessary? 
I told her that I am not submitting the report and that she should do something about the system because we both know that I am not really required to submit the quarterly report. Why should the system's glitch be at my expense? After much arguing, she finally gave in and just asked me to fill out a data entry correction form. 
Most government people (again, not all of them) often do not seek to resolve the issues presented to them but merely follow what they claim as "standard procedure" without first looking into the real problem at hand.
I told her that I am not submitting the report and that she should do something about the system because we both know that I am not really required to submit the quarterly report. Why should the system's glitch be at my expense? After much arguing, she finally gave in and just asked me to fill out a data entry correction form.
Most government people (again, not all of them) often do not seek to resolve the issues presented to them but merely follow what they claim as "standard procedure" without first looking into the real problem at hand. 1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
9 Sep 09
Hey blungel, even though the lady needed convincing, I believe you were very lucky to find someone in a government department who will defy protocol. To have the lady go against the so called rules is a victory for you. Congratulations, and thanks for the response.
@gracefuldove (1668)
• Malaysia
9 Sep 09
Not if you know the proper procedures. Better if you have a friend working therein. As for boohoos, there are plenty. It is not restricted to government departments. I taught at a private university college. Administration and management is also the pits!The hand does not know what the leg is doing. The head say something and the college does another.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
9 Sep 09
I wish I had a contact at Immigration, and Social Security right now, at least I'd know where I stand. The replies one person gives are overruled by someone the next time you ask. Thanks for responding.
@UmiNoor (4523)
• Malaysia
9 Sep 09
I thought the government department in my country Malaysia was bad. So other countries also have their own share. This is my story. My daughter was born in Singapore and I want to register her as a Malaysian because my husband is a Malaysian. When I went to the Registrar they refused to do it because my marriage certificate is a Singapore certificate and not local. Since we were married in Singapore of course the marriage certificate would be from Singapore. I don't understand what my marriage cert got to do with my child registering for a citizenship. These people are so inflexible. And a marriage cert is a marriage cert no matter where they come from, right?
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
9 Sep 09
This is typical. I would have expected the Malay Government to request your marriage certificate to be translated into the local language. I believe a lot of laws regarding where we live should be looked at. They say the world is getting smaller, but it's also getting harder to where you want. Thanks for your inpu.
