On the 10 of January 2000 I received correspondence advising me that an application had commence to recover monies owing to Court Cost incurred by the Government Insurance Office to mount a defence   against a third party claim I had made. This  matter was heard at the District Court 25 March 1992 and a fee which  totaled  $ 25,788.76 is owed. An appeal was also lodged by my barrister and that matter went before the Supreme Court on the 17 June 1996 and the Judges decision at the District Court level was upheld.

I have raised this point elsewhere but I find it necessary to mention once again. The reason this decision was upheld in the first place is because the matters I raised elsewhere where not allowed to be introduced as evidence. Such as alcohol involved, the other driver's original statement, and the considerable  damage sustained to our Police vehicle inconsistent to the speed claimed by the other driver. Relevant to this  G.I.O. matter is that act that at no time did my solicitor instruct me of the financial consequences had we lost. To further aggravate things he informed  my wife and I that the Government Insurance Office rarely sought compensation and this was not till the matter had already gone before the District Court . Remaining with this point for a moment had we been instructed by him of this aspect I daresay I would not have been prepared to take such a financial risk.

After my matter was finalised on 17 June 1996 our Solicitor advises me that it's all over there was no were else to go to appeal this decision and to just get on with our lives. He once again told me there was no monies owing to him and my barrister.

What angers me is that on the 10 of January 2000 I receive my first ever notification regarding monies owing to the Government Insurance Office. I want that to be very clear on your minds while you read this. The first ever notification. Over 3 1/2 years after the Supreme Court had finalised the matter. Was I surprised ? Yes. Was I shocked ? Yes. Should I have been expecting this ? I don't think so. I am not an unreasonable person but going by what my solicitor had told me all those years back. That was in mid 1992 to the effect that the Government Insurance Office did not pursue these accounts. One would also  think that by January of the year 2000 that would be the least thing on my mind. A number of things come to my mind now  and I am seeking some answers ? Why did not the Government Insurance Office advice me of this matter sooner. Some time after the Supreme Court had finalised this matter would have been the appropriate time ? Is anyone accountable for this error in their Department ? Is this in fact an error or just common practice as I am told ? Is it common practice to allow a considerable number of years to lapse. Three and half years to be exact  before recoveries of monies commence ? Is that not poor business practice ?

I tell you what frustrates me even more. They have the law behind them. They have the money behind them to allow this travesty to occur. All the unfortunate circumstances which occurred to me are governed by time restrictions. I am no longer able to be compensated. Yet these events which occurred to me true. Time has not changed that. They still remain the true today. Yet, I imagine a large insurance company will have I am certain their time factors correct. Never mind advising the individual at a more prudent and reasonable time. They can do so apparently when they see fit even when it's three and years after the fact. That's is a considerable length of time in anyone's books as far as I know.

Well I haven't been expecting this amount at all and I am told by certain people that the Government Insurance Office are kind enough to allow you to pay them what you can monthly. I have been on approximately 72 % pension from the Police Department since I was boarded out medically unfit. That does not entitle me to the same advantages as the ordinary  pensioner. I pay a full amount on everything from council rates, electricity, heating bills,  car registration and so on. I borrow money from the Police Credit Union at least every three years to maintain reasonable lifestyle and to supplement my income. I do not feel that I should be on the breadline just because I am only paid that amount. The money borrowed to usually pay credit cards which I use to keep our household account afloat and to allow us some holidays. Something my wife and I have been doing finally some four years ago after devoting 23 years of our lives raising our boys. So where does the Government Insurance Office think I will get my money from ?   

to be continued...