NATION Cheats do prosper as $ 2.84b overpaid
WELFARE cheats have pocketed millions of taxpayer dollars after the Department of Human Services overpaid $ 2.84 billion through fraud or error last year.
The department probed just one in 10 reports of suspected fraud — and only 709 people were prosecuted.
Families with children racked up nearly half the debt, with overpayments of $ 1.2 billion in family tax benefits during 2016- 17.
The unemployed were overpaid $ 424 million in Newstart benefits, with $ 346 million more overpaid in addon welfare payments such as rent assistance.
The Department of Human Services ( DHS) overpaid 2.4 million people an average of $ 1174 each during the year.
It recovered only half the debt, leaving taxpayers with a $ 1.6 billion bill.
Debt collectors were used to get back $ 126 million in welfare overpayments, but most were recovered through deductions from ongoing payments. HE may have left the building long ago but the King of Rock’n’Roll is still very much setting souls on fire.
Elvis mania took over Sydney’s Central Station yesterday as revellers in bejewelled jumpsuits got ready teddy to pack two trains – the Blue Suede Express and Elvis Express – for the annual pilgrimage to Parkes in the state’s west.
And Lord have mercy, you should’ve seen the size of those gelled quiffs. Hundreds of fans watched as crooners belted out Elvis hits, much to the amusement of morning commuters.
Hip- swivelling Scotsman Stewart Munro was among a group of five, ready to shake, rattle and roll over the next four days at the Parkes Elvis Festival.
“We’re all here for Elvis, he’s the king,” he said. “The whole world loves Elvis.”
More than 25,000 revellers were expected to pack the rural town with a forecast $ 14 million to be pumped into the local economy.
This year marks 50 years since Elvis’s 1968 comeback, although he’s likely always on the minds of the colourful festival devotees.
Whistle blowers dobbed in 114,065 people for suspected welfare fraud — but the department investigated just 13,595 cases and only 709 were prosecuted.
Welfare can be overpaid as a result of fraud — such as using a false identity or lying about income or family status.
But overpayments also arise accidentally when families claim weekly payments based on a low income, but earn more than expected.
A DHS spokeswoman said the amount of money spent on fraudulent payments was “not readily available’’. Human Services Minister Michael Keenan said the Turnbull Government was “committed to cracking down on welfare fraud more than ever before’’.
“Taxpayers are happy to support those who are in genuine need but they expect integrity in the system,’’ he said.
Mr Keenan said tip- offs about welfare fraud had identified $ 40 million in overpayments last financial year.
“The department invests substantial effort to ensure all tip- offs are dealt with appropriately,’’ he said.
“Some tip- offs may refer to an investigation that is already underway.’’
Federal Government legislation to slash welfare spending by streamlining payments is stuck in the Senate, which has already rejected the Government’s plan for random drug testing of jobseekers on the dole.
The DHS spokeswoman said welfare debts arose from “changes in personal circumstances and people either inadvertently or deliberately providing incorrect information’’.