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

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Centrelink computers to keep tabs on the dead and flying
Adele Horin
May 9, 2007
SMH
http://www.smh.com.au/news/budget2007/centrelink-computers-to-keep-tabs-on-the-dead-and-flying/2007/05/08/1178390314987.html

WELFARE FRAUD
A system to link death notices to the Centrelink computers will become 
part of the Federal Government's weaponry against welfare fraud.

The measure is designed to ensure that payments to an expected 12,000 
families of deceased Centrelink customers are stopped as soon as 
possible to prevent grieving relatives from accumulating social security 
debts.

It is part of a $113.8 million strategy to combat welfare fraud 
announced in the budget and designed to save almost $270 million over 
three years.

The system of automatically transferring death notice information to 
Centrelink has been tried successfully in a pilot program, the Minister 
for Human Services, Chris Ellison, said.

Measures will also be introduced to combat welfare fraud among 
Centrelink customers who leave the country for extended periods.

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.

 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.

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Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Sydney Australia
brd at iimetro.com.au