NSW Victim Services recently gave me an impossible deadline to gather and submit evidence.
Note in their below email they tell me I can apply for my Police file, but that I probably won’t get it in time for the deadline, and Victim Services won’t provide time for me to obtain and submit it.
Victim Services were supposed to already have the content of my police file – yet no reference to this was made in their decision regarding my compensation decision.
Further Victim Services are supposed to have my Gold Coast Hospital files because I signed a form for them to obtain it along with my other files, and when I recently phoned Gold Coast Hospital they told me they still have my file from the early 1990s. Gold Coast Hospital told me NSW Victim Services usually directly apply for victim files.
Here is NSW Victim Services’ email:
From: VS <vs@justice.nsw.gov.au>
Sent: 16 May, 2018 12:54 PM
To: _________
Subject: RE: evidence request
Dear Ms Barnett,
Thank you for your emails requesting Victims Services provide:
- A copy of all documents and evidence on claim 198004; and
- An extension of time to provide further information in support of your internal review.
Section 40(5) of the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013 (NSW) states claims can continue to be made under an application for victims support that was duly made in respect of an act of violence until whichever of the following first occurs:
(a) the expiration of the period of 5 years after the application is made,
(b) the total maximum amount of financial support that the victim is eligible to receive under this Act in respect of that act of violence has been given.
Your application was lodged on 13 June 2013, and therefore, the application will expire on 14 June 2018. Unfortunately, Victims Services is unable to defer the application past this date. The application for review must be determined by a Senior Assessor before this time.
I have now listed your application for determination for the week commencing 4 June 2018. You will need to provide all necessary documentary evidence and submissions before this time.
I have attached copies of the documents you have requested. Please be advised that if you require copies of police reports, you will need to make a GIPA application to NSW police; however this can take up to 20 working days and may not be made available in time for your application to be considered.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Victims Services on 1800 633 063.
Kindest Regards,
________
Client Service and Management Team | Victims Services | NSW Department of Justice
Email: vs@justice.nsw.gov.au | Phone: 1800 633 063
Mail: Locked Bag 5118, Parramatta, NSW, 2124