Joseph Michael Kanowski faces Ipswich Court for Centrelink thefts on myGov website

An Ipswich dad’s attempt to steal Centrelink payments through the myGov website was quickly thwarted by the victim’s swift action after realising his account had been tampered with.

Joseph Michael Kanowski. Picture: File

An Ipswich dad has faced court for redirecting Centrelink payouts to his own account, just months after he was sentenced for similar offending.

Collingwood Park dad Joseph Michael Kanowski, 44, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on February 29 to one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception, along with contravening a probation order.

Commonwealth prosecutor Georgina Morgan said Kanowski had accessed another person’s myGov account in June 2020 and changed the profile’s bank details to his own.

The victim had been receiving Centrelink benefits from Services Australia at the time.

Ms Morgan said Kanowski made claims using the other man’s account for advanced payments, and received a total $1676.95 as a result.

She said the victim realised someone else had been using his account after just three days, and reported the matter to Services Australia.

“[The victim] was deprived of those payments that he was otherwise lawfully entitled to, until such time as he was reimbursed by Services Australia,” Ms Morgan said.

She noted Kanowski had a “highly relevant” criminal history, having been sentenced for multiple fraud and dishonesty offences at Toowoomba District Court in March 2020, just months prior to this offending.

Ms Morgan said he had been sentenced to 33 months jail and ordered to repay $74,000 for that offending, which involved Kanowski redirecting payments into his own bank account and claiming other people’s tax refunds.

Collingwood Park dad Joseph Michael Kanowski, 44, outside Ipswich court on February 29, 2024. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Defence barrister Michael Bonasia acknowledged his client’s history was “not good” but said Kanowski had since made significant efforts towards rehabilitation.

Kanowski was now “finally drug free” and working at a fruit shop, Mr Bonasia said.

The court heard Kanowski had also completed a 16 week rehabilitation program with Uniting Care, along with a parenting program.

He also had ongoing support from his partner, who was mother to his three children.

“To put him into jail really could undo that good work that he’s done thus far,” Mr Bonasia said.

Judge Benedict Power said he accepted Kanowski had taken steps to change the pattern of his life.

He sentenced him to 12 months jail and ordered him to repay the $1676.95.

Kanowski was released immediately under a $2000 good behaviour recognisance, which would hang over his head for three years.

He was further re-sentenced to two years’ probation for the Toowoomba District Court offences.

“Everything I’ve seen shows that you’ve changed your life, I really hope that’s the case,” Judge Power said.