Thread by @AshwinBohara

@theage @SkyNewsAust @theheraldsun @abcnews @MarisePayne @dfat this is a thread on how @dfat passport office have ruined our family's vacation plan and have costed us thousands of $$. I hope someone takes note of the pathetic state of affairs and the sheer insensitivity. 1/n

We lodged my 6 year old child's Australian passport for renewal in the local post office in the middle of Dec 2021. The application was submitted and the department quoted 6 weeks as processing time. I had booked my Easter travel trip to India with a hope to meet our lovedone 2/n

We were supposed to fly out today on 15th April with Singapore airline flight. We paid $4800 for this non transferable and non refundable ticket. In our mind we submitted application in Dec so there ws no Q of not having passport ready as dept quotes 6 weeks as processingtime 3/n

Today is 15th April and we have not yet received the renewed passport application. I have called passport office over 125 times in the past 2 months. Out of this I have been able to speak to a consultant only twice. Please note the dept has not reached out to me even once 4/n

Through email or call. In the 2 occasions I have been able to speak to someone out of over 120 times I called both instances I have advised of my travel plan.Both instances I ws assured the app has no issues and is being processed. It's a child's passport RENEWAL for God sake 5/n

I also used provide feedback -complaints forms on the website and reached out everyday frantically leading to my flight today. The call centre simply won't connect you to any member and disconnect call saying we can't take your call right now goodbye.There is literally no way 6/n

To contact the passport office without speaking to someone at 131232. The website offers NO email address or online tracking and you cannot see anyone in passport office locally without appointment through this number. I am devastated with the appalling treatment by the dept 7/n

And here my family is sitting with our travel plans ruined. After covid this was our first family trip back to India to visit our family there who have been impacted by covid. In my call on the 31st Marxh 234pm I had made it clear to the office of my travel date. I was 8/n

Assured there was nothing pending from my side on application and that a priority flag would be set on my app. Please note I have not received 1 note feedback or call by department. They have just gone quiet on me and have never sent a comm 4 months after lodging application 9/n

Our family is shocked on this terrible service and lack of empathy and communication despite of doing everything we could. We have call records to prove we called everyday since 1st Apr and did not get anyone on call until our flight was missed today. How is this allowed? 10/n

Who is responsible for this mishandling of a basic renewal application. I consider the @dfat to be liable to my losses and seeking legal advice. Pathetic state of affairs, unacceptable !! @dfat @theage #AusVotes22 #HumanRights #Auspol22

@PeterDutton_MP @MarisePayne I hope you take note pls go through thread. I want the public to know the pathetic way where public offices are ran like this under your govt @ScottMorrisonMP #AusVotes22 #ausvotes