[LINK] Centrelink computers to keep tabs on the dead and flying

[Richard Chirgwin]

[snip]
>
>
> A "real-time" link between Centrelink and the Department of 
> Immigration and Citizenship will be established to keep a check on 
> changes in residence status and in departures from and returns to 
> Australia to ensure people are still eligible for payments.
>
> "Approximately 700,000 Centrelink customers travel overseas each year, 
> and of these, 500,000 do not notify the agency of their departure," 
> Senator Ellison said.
...and once again we see the chronic misuse of statistics in a form 
designed to press a political point, regardless of fact...

- Being a Centrelink "customer" does not disqualify an individual from 
travelling overseas. For eg, a claimant of childcare rebates counts.
- Travel overseas has no necessary impact on an individual's Centrelink 
status.
- I'm not aware of any blanket rule which says "if you are registered 
for any Centrelink payment and you go on any kind of overseas trip, you 
must notify Centrelink.

The statistics are bogus.

RC
>
> From July 2008, the residence and visa status of new welfare claimants 
> will be checked before government payments are granted and records 
> will be automatically updated when welfare recipients travel.
>
> In another fraud detection measure, Centrelink customers will also be 
> encouraged to provide proof of their earnings once they receive them. 
> This measure is intended to prevent a projected 74,000 people from 
> under-declaring income and incurring a social security debt.
>
> As well, from March 2008, whenever a jobseeker on welfare is placed 
> into a job by the Job Network or Disability Employment Network, the 
> information will be automatically included in Centrelink's system.
>