A special taskforce travelling the country swooping on welfare cheats and educating payment recipients on their reporting obligations is visiting Tamworth, NSW this week.
A joint operation between the Department of Human Services and the Australian Federal Police, Taskforce Integrity has visited 16 regional centres since 2015, identifying more than 11,000 cases of overpayment totalling nearly $37 million.
Minister for Human Services, Michael Keenan said staff from the taskforce would be available to talk to people at the Tamworth Service Centre today and tomorrow (10 and 11 April).
Mr Keenan that for those receiving a welfare payment, it was an opportunity to update the Department about any changes in their personal circumstances.
“People can also provide tip-offs, which are an important source of information to help protect the integrity of the welfare system,” Mr Keenan said.
“Most people who receive welfare payments are honest and do the right thing by keeping the Department up-to-date about their circumstances, to ensure they don’t incur a debt.”
He said Taskforce Integrity was not about prosecuting people who made genuine mistakes; it was about enforcing the law and deterring those who set out to commit welfare fraud.
Federal MP for New England, Barnaby Joyce said people could update their details, report suspected welfare fraud or discuss the work of the taskforce with staff at the Tamworth Service Centre.
