Hold La Trobe Financial and Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited Responsible for Breaching Financial Hardship Obligations, Aggressive Debt Collection, and Evasion of AFCA Oversight!

We, the undersigned Australian borrowers and affected individuals, call on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), and federal lawmakers to investigate and impose penalties on La Trobe Financial Limited and Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited for systemic failures in upholding their legal duties under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (NCCP Act).

These institutions have repeatedly disregarded borrowers' financial hardship applications, resorting instead to coercive tactics including bullying, harassment, and unwarranted court actions to extract payments.

When complaints are escalated to AFCA, La Trobe Financial has been accused of providing misleading information and refusing accountability, while Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited—acting as trustee and mortgagee—avoids cooperation with AFCA processes, despite its fiduciary liability for La Trobe's aggressive collection practices.

Under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (NCCP Act), lenders are legally required to assess financial hardship applications fairly, offer suitable variations to loan terms (such as repayment pauses or reductions), and suspend recovery actions while these are under review.

 AFCA guidelines further mandate that financial firms halt debt collection—including court proceedings—once a complaint is lodged, providing transparent and individualized responses. Yet, La Trobe Financial and Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited have systematically flouted these obligations, prioritizing profits over people.

La Trobe Financial's Pattern of Neglect and Coercion:

Bullying and Harassment Tactics: Rather than offering relief, La Trobe has relied on aggressive debt collectors who employ threatening calls, repeated demands, and pressure on family or employers—tactics that echo broader AFCA concerns about rising harassment complaints in the sector.

Victims describe this as "thuggery," with relentless pursuits designed to wear down vulnerable individuals, often leading to mental health crises.
Deception in AFCA Complaints: When escalated to AFCA, La Trobe has allegedly provided incomplete or misleading information, delaying resolutions and refusing to accept responsibility. AFCA's 2024 data highlights a surge in such complaints, with lenders like La Trobe placing "unnecessary barriers" to external support, including financial counsellors. This not only prolongs suffering but undermines AFCA's mandate for fair dispute resolution.
Borrowers report Perpetual "pretending" detachment from fund management while aggressively enforcing debts, refusing AFCA cooperation, and ignoring moratoriums on recovery.

Sign this petition — because no Australian should be bullied out of their home for asking for the help the law says they’re entitled to.