The following comments relate specifically to the Queensland entities QCAT (the kangaroo court) and the Queensland Public Trustee / Adult Guardian, however similar entities in other states and territories operate on essentially the same (lack of principles), consequently the exact same potentially applies to every Australian citizen who doesn't have a professionally prepared succession plan (ie at the very least an Enduring Power of Attorney and a Last Will and Testament).
Be wary of 'I found it on the internet' forms as there are many instances where those have been successfully challenged by either avaricious family members, the kangaroo court or even 'proper' courts. On the other hand, a good lawyer (no I don't like that breed either but there is actually the rare decent one) can patch most of the loopholes that can be exploited by bottom-feeding grubs like that greedy brother-in-law or even worse, the kangaroo court.
I wish to warn everyone, including those carers who think looking after a stroke victim is too much trouble, or those who have the mistaken belief that there is any semblance of decency at the Public Trustee, or for that matter the Adult Guardian. I elect to use the term 'kangaroo court' because that utterly evil entity totally ignores legislation intended to regulate its operation. Its really nothing more than a source of victims for the extortion racket trading as the Public Trustee.
Published decisions of the kangaroo court invariably put victims in the clutches of the Public Trustee where their assets are systematically plundered. Anyone who lives in their own home is likely to cop a shonky ACAT test since owner occupied homes are protected from the typically exorbitant and unregulated Public Trustee fees whereas an unoccupied home (ie when the owner has been consigned to a nursing establishment) are not protected. Clearly owner-occupied homes are unprofitable business so the Public Trustee plays any number of dirty tricks to rectify that situation. Neither the kangaroo court, the Adult Guardian or the Public Trustee have proper complaints management systems despite such being a legal requirement in Queensland. Whilst there are sham facilities, responses to complaints amount to 'cut and paste' of official publicity.
There are reasons to believe Public Trustee complaints are routed directly to its legal department which then uses its victim's financial resources to protect the interests of the Public Trustee. There is no point complaining to the Queensland Ombudsman, the Crime and Corruption Commission, the Queensland Attorney General, the Federal Attorney General, the Legal Services Commission, the Discrimination Commission, the Information Commission or the Human Rights Commission because the standard response is 'the Public Trustee is immune'.
Victim's funds held 'in trust'; are regarded as the property of the Public Trustee which levies horrendous fees that typically consume a million dollar estate within a few years. Unlike every other financial organization, no auditing is performed since some moronic politician in times past 'deemed' the Public Trustee competent. Media reporters who attempt to expose the activities of the unholy triune beast are warned by management that exposure of these entities is strictly verboten. In the past, stringent secrecy provisions were imposed, ostensibly in place 'to protect the vulnerable' but which were undoubtedly intended to hinder communication and collaboration between carers and victims.
Over the past year a number of individuals have discovered ways to circumvent the maze and now there is a significant group committed to bringing these bureaucrazies (MIS-spelling intended) to account. Its not a straightforward task as the Public Trustee has infiltrated a lot of 'apparently' legitimate support organizations. For example, Carers Queensland openly admits to receiving financial support from the Public Trustee and the relationship between the Uniting Church and the Public Trustee is subject to some suspicion.Many senior citizen clubs are receiving Public Trustee money albeit after having been 'washed' through third parties like Caxton Street Legal Centre.
A significant number of people have been sucked in by Public Trustee promotions claiming to provide a 'free' will making service. Yes well, it is true that the document is made without charge, but on condition that the Public Trustee is nominated as executor. When the principal carks it, the Public Trustee fees are usually sufficient to soak up every single cent.
Typical fees are approximately five times what a private lawyer would charge to do the same work, and surely no sentient being believes private lawyers run a benevolent society. A report that was briefly published in the Queensland Sunday Mail concerned a disgruntled Public Trustee whistleblower who related details of an internal memo requiring all staff to drag on estate matters until the maximum possible fees has been levied. One particular case in which the beneficiary 'should' have inherited $1.3 million resulted in said beneficiary discovering the anticipated amount had been completely dissipated in fees. There are numerous other horror stories that need to be told but this probably isn't the correct forum. Bottom line is that everyone, regardless of how healthy they may be, is flirting with disaster if they don't have a professionally prepared succession plan in place. Those who wish to explore Public Trustee and kangaroo court misdeeds more fully can google 'Workers Bush Telegraph', 'Queensland Public Trustee Exposed' and 'nswtgexposed'
The Committee to expose the Public Trustee held the first of a series of pickets at Parliament House on Tuesday 16th January and will be continuing these at QCAT and the Public Trustee in due course. We've also contacted every politician in Queensland, the Queensland Law Society and the Queensland Bar Association.
Next on the list are every senior citizens group, media reporter, magistrate, judge and politician in Australia. We are also preparing a group submission to the Crime and Corruption Commission and the United Nations Human Rights Council. The volume will be turned up until or unless the systematic abuse and misappropriation of victim's resources is stopped permanently, those whose estates have been plundered are compensated,.and the perpetuators exposed and penalized.
Call me anytime 24 x 7. We have a good team with substantial experience in battling the official crime gang. Despite what a lot of lawyers would have you believe, it is possible to beat the crooks. Only 5% of kangaroo tribunal matters are published, consequently only insiders know what is really going on. My partner's victory is one that will never be published because it demonstrates just how corrupt are the kangaroo tribunal, Adult Guardian and Public Trustee. There was also a very damning report on the guardianship racket in the Gold Coast Bulletin, Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Age last weekend. I don't want or need to make anything out of my advocacy efforts, simply seeing people whacking the criminals is all the reward I need.
