Monday, March 16, 2009

Centrelink forms and bureaucracy

Bridgets - i couldn't even spell bureaucracy (nor could spell check), that's how much red tape is choking society!
Tonight I am embarking on a paper trail, carefully and strategically mapped out by some Bachelor in Arts graduate from the Public Service, on claiming some insignificant child allowance. I forfeited many such allowances in the past , as the paper work is enough to make sitting on the Hume Highway at midnight look appealling compared to filling in the endless questions...

For example (this is the exact wording on the front of the Claim for Child Care Benefit 30 page application):
"..You should have received the booklet Information booklet about your claim for Family Assistance with this form. In this form, this booklet will be referred to as the Information Booklet. If you don;t have this booklet, call the FAO.."

After reading it a few times I understand what it means, but isn't there a more simple way of saying things.

I would write:
"...there is an accompanying guide for filling in this load of .... you will pull your hair out if you don't have the guide. Don't bother calling to get one as you will be placed in a long queue and then the person will only baffle and upset you even more. If you are really keen to persist with this allowance application, pay some Uni student to do it for you.."

Jaded Bridget

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