Welfare shakeup

[Juliar]

The proportion of Australians receiving WORKING-AGE income support is at 14.3%. The overall number of New­start Allowance recipients is at 686,328.

Why are there over half a million young people getting welfare? This as we import more & more people into this nation because we can't find locals to do the jobs? About time somebody cleaned up this 'easy money' scheme & ensured that those that can work, do work....and not rely on the rest of us to provide them living money. At the least, their own parents/families should be looking after them, not the taxpayer at large.

As the millennia have rolled by, quite a few people have noted that the poor are always with us.

Now yes, a certain proportion of the people seem incapable of embracing the challenges of making their own money to pay for their own life-styles.

Then there are those who do not want to embrace those challenges.

The incidence of this latter type has increased directly in proportion to opportunities to take money that is re-distributed by governments from those people who produce surpluses.

In this regard, it is notable that all world's wisdom traditions, East and West, say that it is necessary and correct that a person discover/builds their own self-reliance -as it is by that path that one finds one's true self, which is the purpose of Life-on-Earth for humans.





Scott Morrison’s welfare shake-up to deliver $2bn saving
GREG BROWN 10:30PM JANUARY 27, 2020


Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP

Scott Morrison will move to cut overpayments to more than a million welfare recipients under new laws expected to deliver a $2bn budget saving.
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston will on Tuesday argue the “confusing” payments system for welfare recipients will be revamped under legislation to be introduced in the first sitting fortnight of the year.

The proposal is aimed at payments involving 1.2 million welfare recipients who receive ben­efits on top of the income they earn through employed work by changing the way they report their gross earnings to Centrelink.

The revamp would save $2.1bn over four years by correcting ­government overpayments ­occurring under the current system which forces welfare ­recipients to calculate their employment earnings based on the number of shifts they work and their hourly rate.

The savings move comes as the government’s surplus faces pressure from the impact of the summer bushfire crisis, which has caused extensive property damage, hit the tourism industry and jeopardised the future of small businesses that have lost much of their Christmas trade.

“We want to make sure that Australians who need financial support are able to get the support that they are eligible for — no less and no more,” Senator Ruston said. “The current system of calculating earnings can be confusing and lead to misreporting, especially when accounting for overtime or penalty rates. These changes will make accurate reporting much easier for people getting a social security payment.”

As part of the proposal, the use of online payroll data will be used so welfare recipients have their employment and income details pre-filled like in online tax returns. The pre-filled information can be changed online or on a ­mobile phone app.

A Newstart recipient with no children can earn up to $104 a week and receive the full welfare payment. Income over this amount, up to $1075 a fortnight, reduces the payment by 40 cents per dollar earned.

The full Austudy, ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance payments are given to recipients earning up to $437 a fortnight.

The full pension is paid to eligible people who earn up to $188.60 a fortnight.

Josh Frydenberg declared last week the government’s promised May surplus was in doubt because of the unknown economic impact of the bushfires.

When asked if a budget surplus was unlikely, the Treasurer said: “I’m not in a position to give a firm answer to that question because the full economic impact (of the bushfires) is still uncertain”.

The Prime Minister this month declared bushfire recovery was more important than the surplus when he unveiled $2bn of spending to assist with the rebuild of communities.

“The surplus is no focus for me,” Mr Morrison said. “What matters to me is the human cost and meeting whatever cost we need to meet.

“What I envisage is guaranteeing to the Australian people at this time of crisis that we will meet every cost that needs to be met, make every investment to assist this crisis and the recovery needs that follow. That is clearly the priority now.”

In the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, unveiled last month, future surpluses were downgraded by $21.6bn over the next four years and wound back by $2.1bn this ­financial year to $5bn. Forecasts for wages and economic growth were downgraded while unemployment was revised up from 5 per cent to 5.25 per cent for 2019-20 and 2020-21.

The Australian reported last October that the Coalition reform agenda to rein in the nation’s social services system had delivered a 10.1 per cent reduction in the future life cost of welfare, driving it down to $5.7 trillion.

The proportion of Australians receiving working-age income support payments has fallen to its lowest level in 30 years, at 14.3 per cent. The overall number of New­start Allowance recipients fell to 686,328 as more Australians move into the workforce.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation ... 2e19b60e7d

[brian ross]

More lives destroyed by an uncaring, unfeeling, Government. Blaming the unemployed for their unemployment. Tsk, tsk.

[The Reboot]

More lives destroyed by an uncaring, unfeeling, Government. Blaming the unemployed for their unemployment. Tsk, tsk.

That's a rather skewered way of looking at it. Perhaps on the surface, it seems harsh, but measures like this are needed when too many people are ripping the government off, which I would be indifferent about were it not for heavy taxation on those who are doing the right thing and contributing to society. If a person is doing the right thing, there's nothing for them to worry about, is there?

In my small town with a population less than a thousand, I know of four welfare frauds claiming disability and carer's pensions, but go out and do "seasonal" or "contract" work, when it suits them. When I was privy to information, working in human services, I reported these frauds to the government and guess what? They're still living the "high life". The government did nothing about it. I also know of two people with "yardwork businesses" who wouldn't know how to run a legit business to save their life, and don't pay tax because it's all illegal "cashie" work. This in itself I couldn't give two squirts about, only these two people are ALSO claiming Centrelink.

I certainly don't want my tax going to these types of bludgers, and I'm pretty sure most hard-working Australians would agree with me.

Now, before you use the argument "that sample you provided is too small" or some such, check this out.

Year:
2017-2018
Category:
Social Security Fraud
Location:
Queensland

Queensland women 38-year-old, Samantha Kissier was sentenced to six months imprisonment on 31 July 2017 for dishonestly obtaining $35,015.53 in single parenting payments over a period of three years and eight months. Ms Kisser has been ordered to repay Centrelink the amount of $31,318.53.

Between 9 January 2013 and 30 September 2016 whilst in receipt of Parenting Payment Ms Kissier repeatedly made false declarations to Centrelink, intentionally misrepresenting her true circumstances and making false declarations of her income she received from her employment as a catering support staff member at a nursing home.

Ms Kissier’s fraud was initially detected by Centrelink. On 8 February 2016, Centrelink sent a letter to Ms Kissier requesting historical payroll and employment details and placing her back on fortnightly reporting. Centrelink sent a further letter on 4 May 2017 advising Mr Kissier that an over payment had been raised against her due to the correct amount of earnings from her employer having not been taken into account in the payments made to her. Despite the interaction with Centrelink in February 2016 Ms Kissier continued to significantly under-declare her income for the remainder of the charge period. Ms Kissier did not attend a formal interview despite being requested to attend a ‘Principle Carer Compulsory Participation Interview’—a common process in place to allow recipients and Centrelink staff to review and confirm arrangements.

Ms Kissier has intermittently been in receipt of various welfare benefits since 1997.

Charge / Sentence

Ms Samantha Kissier was charged with:

One count of obtaining financial advantage from a Commonwealth entity, contrary to section 135.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).

Following a guilty plea, on 31 July 2017 Ms Kissier was sentenced to six months imprisonment to be released after serving two months upon giving security by recognisance in the sum of $1,000 conditioned that she be of good behaviour for a period of two years.

Further order made pursuant to s21B of the Crimes Act 1914 for reparation of $31,815.53.

Sentencing remarks

His Honour, Magistrate Young noted that while he had regard to her personal circumstances, including that Ms Kissier was a single parent of two children, one with special needs, he did not consider them exceptional circumstances. His Honour took into account Ms Kisser’s early plea of guilty and had regard to the significant amount involved, noting that it was toward the higher end, the maximum penalty available, that the offending occurred over a 3 year 8 month period, and that she under declared her income on 66 occasions including 12 occasions where she declared NIL.

ear:
2017-2018
Category:
Social Security Fraud
Location:
Queensland

On 18 June 2018, 35-year-old Purdy McGee was given an effective sentence of 2 years' imprisonment in the Brisbane District Court, after pleading guilty to receiving $89,238.88 in Centrelink benefits to which she was not entitled.

Between January 2011 to January 2016, McGee lied to the Department of Human Services, claiming she was single when she was in a de facto relationship with Andrew Mitchell the entire time. Not only did she lie about this relationship and fail to disclose Mitchell’s income, over the five years and six months McGee fraudulently claimed benefits, she had three children with Mitchell.

This offending saw McGee receive $19,589.47 in Newstart Allowance and $66,123.82 in the Parenting Payment Single. In addition, McGee claimed she had undertaken study when she hadn’t, which saw her receive $3525.62 in the Pensioner Education Supplement.

McGee lied to Centrelink about her circumstances on a number of occasions in order to perpetuate the fraud, including claiming at one stage that she had separated from Mitchell and that he was living elsewhere, when in fact they were living together and held a joint lease on the property.

Following the birth of McGee’s twins, she lodged a further claim for her newborn children and claimed they were from a previous relationship and just spent time with Mitchell. Birth, Death & Marriage records show that Mitchell is the father of all three children.

During a search of McGee’s residence in Capalaba in July 2016, numerous documents and items were seized in support of the charges. In particular, various text messages referred to the relationship between McGee and Mitchell, referenced their sexual relationship and also their joint financial situation.

McGee’s offending was detected through the Welfare Taskforce budget initiative on 9 February 2016. This taskforce identifies and targets geographic areas where data analysis points to a high risk of non-compliance and suspected welfare fraud.

At the time McGee’s offending was detected, she was living in Caboolture, which was a demographic area that triggered a review.



Charges/sentence

On 18 June 2018, 35-year-old Purdy McGee was sentenced in the Brisbane District Court to 2 years' imprisonment with an order she be released after serving 4 months upon entering into a recognisance in the sum of $500 conditioned that she be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years., in relation to:

5 counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, contrary to section 134.2 (1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).


Sentencing remarks

In sentencing, Judge Smith said imprisonment was the only appropriate penalty. He said there was significant evidence proving the offences and that they involved a significant amount of money over a long period of time.

His Honour made the observation that the money was not spent on a lavish lifestyle, and noted McGee’s good work history, that she appeared remorseful and that the situation with her young children was "very relevant" to the sentence.

However, he said a term of actual custody was warranted.

ar:
2017-2018
Category:
Social Security Fraud
Location:
Tasmania

On 15 September 2017, Kristy Lee Wessing, 36, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in the Supreme Court in Hobart, after pleading guilty to receiving $160,766 in Centrelink benefits to which she was not entitled. The maximum penalty on each count is five years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of $33,000.

Wessing lied about her living arrangements and marital status on four occasions between 2003 to 2009. This saw her receive parenting payments she was not entitled to until November 2013.

Wessing started fraudulently claiming parenting payments in 2003 when she lodged a Parenting Payment form after giving birth to a daughter. In it she stated she was a single mother and claimed her former partner was living at another address.

Parenting Payments are paid to people who have a dependent child under 16 years in their care. The rate of Parenting Payment paid is dependent on whether they are single or in a married/de-facto relationship.

Over the 10-year-period Wessing claimed the single parent benefits, she routinely misled Centrelink officials, as she claimed not to be living with the father of her two children.

After a tip off led Centrelink to start investigating Wessing in May 2013, they discovered she had been living with her partner since she started claiming.

They also found that an address Wessing had provided was in fact a vacant bush block, a landlord did not exist, the pair had a joint bank account and had bought cars together, had jointly signed rental leases, and her partner had worked with various employers during the majority of the period.

It was also discovered that Wessing had married her partner in 2011.

Charges/sentence

On 15 September 2017, Kristy Wessing was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment to be released after serving 12 months, after entering into a recognisance of $2,000 on the condition she is of good behaviour for 24 months, in relation to:

4 counts of dishonestly influencing a Commonwealth public official, contrary to section 135.1(7) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).

Sentencing remarks

In sentencing, Justice Tennent said Wessing’s offending was a ‘serious example’ of its type and ‘always difficult to detect’.

‘Centrelink relies on a level of honesty from the people who claim benefits and your deceptions … resulted in your claiming benefits to which you were not entitled for almost 11 years. You did not stop offending but only did so when you were caught. The amount overall was significant.’

As a result, Justice Home said any sentence must ‘reflect the need for both specific and general deterrence’.

‘General deterrence in particular is important because this type of offending impacts on the public purse. It is sometimes perceived as a victimless crime because it is only “the government” which appears to suffer. The offending is also perceived as being an easy way to extra money. Those types of views need to be shown to be patently wrong.’

You can read those and various other cases of fraud in the link below.

Source

[brian ross]

They, plus the cases you quote are a minority of the total. We have seen this Government institute "robodebt" where they illegally demanded monies from welfare recipients - who often hadn't even received the monies demanded of them. They are uncaring and I for one am fed up with people who applaud them when they go on another drive to save money. It is just short-sighted and rude to assume that everybody who receives welfare is a fraud which is what you and the other supporters of this drive are suggesting. All you are doing is blaming people who are, in the main, less fortunate than you for their circumstances. "Blaming the unemployed for their unemployment."

[Neferti]

They, plus the cases you quote are a minority of the total. We have seen this Government institute "robodebt" where they illegally demanded monies from welfare recipients - who often hadn't even received the monies demanded of them. They are uncaring and I for one am fed up with people who applaud them when they go on another drive to save money. It is just short-sighted and rude to assume that everybody who receives welfare is a fraud which is what you and the other supporters of this drive are suggesting. All you are doing is blaming people who are, in the main, less fortunate than you for their circumstances. "Blaming the unemployed for their unemployment."

So, whatever have you done for the less fortunate and unemployed, Brian? Do you get an unemployed person to mow your lawn or clean your house for the going rate? I do. I even get some Muslims/darkies to do my gardening and fix things around the house. You are all talk, Brian.

[Black Orchid]

If a person is doing the right thing, there's nothing for them to worry about, is there?

That's about the sum of it.

[Outlaw Yogi]

More lives destroyed by an uncaring, unfeeling, Government. Blaming the unemployed for their unemployment. Tsk, tsk.

Our headmaster Mrs Bunkum said you get a sick head because your mum caught Munch housing poxy.
I asked my Dad what's Munch housing poxy, and he said that's what happens when the government gives you a house if you eat too much McDonalds.
My brother Simon got chickens poxy so Mum keeps him in the cupboard under the stairs.

Fatty Yazza at school gets pimple poxies b'cause she has a bed sheet on her head.
Yazmina has to wear a bed sheet b'cause her mum's from Lemonbong.
On Saturday she visits her Dad at Long Bay hospital b'cause got his dicky bird caught in a boy turkey.

[brian ross]

They, plus the cases you quote are a minority of the total. We have seen this Government institute "robodebt" where they illegally demanded monies from welfare recipients - who often hadn't even received the monies demanded of them. They are uncaring and I for one am fed up with people who applaud them when they go on another drive to save money. It is just short-sighted and rude to assume that everybody who receives welfare is a fraud which is what you and the other supporters of this drive are suggesting. All you are doing is blaming people who are, in the main, less fortunate than you for their circumstances. "Blaming the unemployed for their unemployment."

So, whatever have you done for the less fortunate and unemployed, Brian? Do you get an unemployed person to mow your lawn or clean your house for the going rate? I do. I even get some Muslims/darkies to do my gardening and fix things around the house. You are all talk, Brian.

I have given them jobs, Neferti. What have you done?

[brian ross]

If a person is doing the right thing, there's nothing for them to worry about, is there?

That's about the sum of it.

Except as we have seen, this Government doesn't care if your doing the right thing. Look at Robodebt.

[The Reboot]

They, plus the cases you quote are a minority of the total.

Bahahaha! Still resorting to that tactic, are you? Burying your head in the sand does not constitute a constructive argument, Brian.

Why don't you calculate the total cost to the taxpayer, of those charged with welfare fraud in the years 2017 and 2018?
Purdy McGee (lol!) = $89,238.88
Kristy Wessing = $160,766
Samantha Kissier = $35,015.53

Like it or not, we live in a society dictated by money and we cannot survive without it. All this stolen money doesn't just grow on a magic tree at parliament house. There is a "price to pay".
And also, keep in mind, those examples are only the ones who actually get caught.. This is how these thieves thank the hard-working citizens of this country, by ripping off their tax dollars and rorting a system they are lucky to have. Many countries don't have this same luxury.

We have seen this Government institute "robodebt" where they illegally demanded monies from welfare recipients

Yep, which I condemned at the time. It was absolutely disgusting, but they are aware of it and the mistake was made because people in this Government clearly don't understand technology, hence the constant issues that their "MyGov" app is notorious for. I could also add that the intention was not to rip people off, but then I would be contradicting myself when I have previously said all politicians are "welfare bludgers with fancy titles".

This doesn't make justify the thieves claiming money that isn't their's to claim, however.. You often state that others are "childish", yet isn't it the "adult" thing to do to say, "two wrongs don't make a right?" The point still stands.

and I for one am fed up with people who applaud them when they go on another drive to save money.

You're fed up with patriots wanting to ensure their tax dollars aren't being wasted on ungrateful thieves? Righto.

It is just short-sighted and rude to assume that everybody who receives welfare is a fraud which is what you and the other supporters of this drive are suggesting.

No, I merely pointed out why measures such as what the OP's article discusses are being implemented. It was you who made assumptions about what I, and whoever else are "supporting" or "suggesting". Not once did I, or anybody else claim that all people on welfare are frauds. If you want "short-sighted" and "rude", perhaps consult a mirror.