Half a million Australians tip off authorities about suspected welfare cheats

NEARLY 2000 Australians are dobbing on welfare fraudsters every week, helping authorities chase down $100 million in fraudulent claims.

EXCLUSIVE: NEARLY 2000 Australians are dobbing on welfare cheats every week, helping authorities chase down $100 million in fraudulent claims.

New data obtained by the Herald Sun shows that over the last five years, 500,000 people have delivered tip-offs about neighbours and colleagues whom they believe are gaming the social safety net.

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The tip-offs have, in the worst cases, resulted in more than 400 claimants being ­referred for prosecution.

A Tasmanian was jailed after authorities were alerted to the fact that the claimant ­received $150,000 in single-parent benefits while married.

Human Services Minister Michael Keenan said the huge number of tip-offs showed taxpayers wanted the integrity of the $157 billion welfare system they pay for to be protected.

“Australia has a generous social safety net that helps people who genuinely need it,” he said. “But if someone receives a benefit they are not entitled to, the government has a responsibility to recover that amount.”

Mr Keenan added: “Those tip-offs are an important source of information that can assist the department with its existing investigations, or alert it to new cases of fraud.

“Every tip-off is taken seriously, and I thank those members of the community who are helping to ensure that our welfare system remains strong.”

Human Services Minister Michael Keenan. Picture: Kym Smith

Since July, the government has received nearly 80,000 tip-offs which have led to $18 million in welfare debts being identified. About 70 of those cases have been referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

In one case, a Queenslander was convicted of fraud and ­ordered to repay more than $160,000 after using fake identities to illegally claim multiple welfare payments.

In another case, a Victorian had to pay back $3000 after falsely claiming they had not received their parenting payment, in an effort to get extra taxpayer-funded benefits.

The government’s controversial data-matching system has helped identify more than $1.5 billion in incorrect welfare payments.

In 18 months, 1400 cases of potential fraud were identified and nearly 1000 ­referred to police.

Mr Keenan said concerned citizens could report suspected cheats by visiting the website humanservices.gov.au/fraud or calling the tip-off line: 131 524.

It comes as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten promises a major review of welfare payments, saying MPs could not afford to live on the unemployment benefit of $40 a day.

Some experts say Newstart is keeping people in poverty and should be increased.

Jobs Minister Michaelia Cash would not comment on whether that benefit would be increased in next week’s Budget, but said: “The best form of welfare is a job.”

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