When Government Departments Get it wrong

This post probably isn't going to be for everyone but as many of you know I dabble in politics and have run for office a few times. I'm a firm believer in democracy and my election nominations have come at significant expense as my opposition have gone to extreme lengths to ensure I don't get elected.

I was put through a 4 year court battle consisting of vexatious and libel allegations to damage my reputation, I subsequently won with my attackers withdrawing at the 11th hour when the evidence stacked up against them and at risk of significant damage to their own reputations. It cost me alot.

It hasn't particularly stopped and I continue to be focus point for many, much of my work is in support of people and shaking up the system. People are the most important and should be central to any government, any decisions made come from the people, any decisions that benefit for the people. Not everyone thinks this way, trust me I know. I've been involved in some ridiculous debates over the years.

When governments stuff it up or get it wrong it leads to chronic issues and systematic failure. The people will always have the power or at least should, I am aware that other countries aren't the best in this department but as an Aussie I count myself lucky that we are OK.

But that doesn't mean we became lazy in continuing to hold governments accountable because if we drop the ball things can go south really quick. Economies crumble, employment dries up, progress stagnates or goes backwards.

Yesterday I was pretty distraught and got quite upset as I received a letter from a government department stating that I had breached an act of legislation and the term they used was Prima Facie which means they had enough evidence to go to trial but "chose" not to.

I can not express how upset, hurt and wrong this government department was. I believe in rules and following them. There are alot of Australians to be let down if I don't. If you seek office you need to be 100% legitimate and honest. If you're not then why are you there?

Leadership is the most important thing and if you're seeking to lead the people than you need to do everything by the book. To great of a risk harming someone if you do something wrong. Governments don't always get it right and people make mistakes, but such a libel letter which spoke with FACT that I had breached legislation which was totally incorrect is in my opinion, the greatest of incompetence.

Now, the breach they stated that occured is that I didn't authorise my election material, sounds trivial but a rule none the less. They informed me that they had undertaken an investigation and have concluded that I didn't authorise my material.

Except one thing, under their own example and guidelines they instruct candidates to include an impressium in the about section of a social media page. Which I followed their example to the letter.

The investigators didn't bother undertaken an adequate investigation and didn't click the about section of my social media page. If they did they would have seen it.

This provides me with no confidence in that departments ability to actually investigate matters pertaining to local government. What if they chose to take it to court or fine me? Then I would have spent a lot of money on legal fees most likely equating to them withdrawing the fine but I still would have lost out financially.

These small failures are quite significant for governments in my opinion as it erodes confidence in the system leading to system failures.

System failures are chronic issues for general folk whom are at times oblivious to what is occurring until someone is standing infront of them. Which is why when a Government says something it needs to be 100% certain that what it is saying is 100% correct.

In this instance it is not, I was fortunate enough to refute their letter and they have confirmed that no breach occured hut it took all day to do and I lost a days pay resolving a government stuff up. My mental health was impacted as I perceived an incoming legal battle AGAIN for something I had not done.

All this because someone behind a computer, didn't follow their own guidelines and click the about section. A cost free and easy exercise to do in an investigation which results in no costs to anyone, or they could have just called me to clarify the matter.

I will be launching a dispute and seeking an apology. I've also heard that my wife, a current elected official has also received such a libel letter and isn't taking it lightly.

She understands that she doesn't have the luxury of stuffing up and needs to be meticulous in her work, if she is held to that standard, so should others before throwing out such ridiculous allegations.

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