Being prosecuted for a criminal or traffic offence can be a nerve-wracking experience. You may be unfamiliar with the process, unsure of the best way forward and concerned about the outcome. But whether you are charged with a less-serious matter such as drug possession, drink driving or common assault, or accused of something as serious ...
Category: Centrelink Offences
Centrelink’s Release of Critic’s Personal Information May Be a Crime
A prominent barrister believes the federal human services minister or one of his staff may have committed a crime by releasing a Centrelink client’s personal information. Robert Richter QC was commissioned by the federal Labor party to provide advice on whether releasing the tax and relationship details of a recipient who was critical of Centrelink’s ...
Less Cash for Centrelink Recipients: Government Hails Debit Card Trial a Success
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim The federal government has declared its twelve-month trial of ‘cashless’ welfare cards a huge success, after an evaluation found it has contributed to a reduction in alcohol consumption and gambling in rural communities. The government is so pleased with the results that it has announced an extension of the ...
If You Owe Money to Centrelink, Don’t Try to Leave Australia
The Department of Immigration and Border Patrol will soon team up with Centrelink to stop people from leaving the country if they have family assistance or social security debts. The Crackdown Under new legislation, government agencies will work together to enforce Departure Prohibition Orders (DPOs) on anyone owing a debt to Centrelink, according to reports ...
Social Media: Helping Police to Crack Down on Centrelink Fraud
Australia has a relatively broad welfare system – with the federal government funding around $150 billion per year in benefits – a figure that is set to rise in coming years with our aging population. But not everyone plays by the rules – it is estimate that welfare fraud costs the taxpayer around $9 million ...
Recent Centrelink Fraud Cases
Fraudulently obtaining payments through Centrelink is a Commonwealth offence and can come with serious penalties. Like most other Commonwealth offences, all Centrelink fraud cases in Australia are prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP). Centrelink fraud can cover a range of different activities. Here are some examples of real-life Centrelink fraud cases that ...
Can I Change Paying My Centrelink Debt to Community Service?
If you have been overpaid by Centrelink you will have a debt raised against you. Even if you have done nothing wrong, or the overpayment was a result of a genuine mistake on your part, you will still be required to pay back the outstanding amount. Unfortunately, in many cases, this can cause considerable financial ...
How do Penalties for White Collar Crime and Social Security Fraud Compare?
White collar crime is a type of fraud which is usually committed against corporations or organisations. Generally, white collar crime is committed by employees of these organisations. Although there are a number of penalties that you can receive if you are convicted of this type of crime, they are generally not as severe as if ...
Opal Card Data Accessible by Police Without a Warrant
There’s no doubt that public transport smartcards are convenient for commuters who take public transport regularly, saving them money and time queuing for tickets. But along with the convenience comes a hidden cost, with recent reports revealing that data from travel cards like the NSW Opal card is being used by police and other government ...
Will Centrelink Prosecute If I Make a Genuine Mistake?
If you have been overpaid by Centrelink, you could find yourself facing an investigation and possibly criminal charges for fraud. The exact nature of the charges and the likely penalty will depend on the circumstances and the amount of money in question. Unlike many criminal offences which are prosecuted by the police or the state ...