Tweed Heads man ordered to repay large Centrelink debt
Queensland media release
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
A Tweed Heads man who defrauded Centrelink of more than $25,000 has received a suspended jail term and has been ordered to repay the money.
The Tweed Heads Court has heard 58-year-old Frederick Noel Hergenhan claimed Newstart Allowance between 2006 and 2008 despite earning more than the maximum income allowed to be eligible for the payment.
The court was told data-matching with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) uncovered the fraud, which totalled $25,041.
Mr Hergenhan received a suspended 8-month suspended jail term, to be of good behaviour for 2 years, and ordered to repay the debt.
Centrelink General Manager, Hank Jongen, says this case should send a clear warning that those on Centrelink benefits must report any change in personal circumstances.
"The vast majority of Centrelink customers are honest and entitled to their payments but it’s vital customers tell us when their personal circumstances change to avoid ending up with a Centrelink debt," said Mr Jongen.
"Customers are required to tell Centrelink about changes such as starting a relationship, getting married, taking on or leaving employment and changing your address."
"We have one of the most sophisticated electronic data-matching systems in Australia, which matches customer records with external providers such as banks and other Government agencies, including the ATO and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship," Mr Jongen said.
"Australia's about giving people a fair go, and our welfare system gives people who are genuinely in need a safety net when they can't support themselves.
In 2008/09, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions prosecuted 3,388 Centrelink cases for fraud with a success rate of 99%.
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink Media Contact.