. The Social Security Act and Social Security (Administration) Act each contain over 1,000 sections, most of which are designed to deny people payments, and many of which are in contradiction to other legislation. The legal age for voting is 18, but Centrelink expect parents to support their children until they are 22. That is, … Continue reading Centrelink Legislation is in Drastic Need of Reform
Tag: Centrelink
Centrelink rules enable coercive control
Queensland will introduce historic laws making coercive control a criminal offence carrying up to 14 years imprisonment, and these laws are welcome. However, Centrelink rules enable the continuation of such coercion, and it is time Centrelink put a stop to it. Under Centrelink rules, if one partner in a relationship is working past a certain … Continue reading Centrelink rules enable coercive control
The aged pension is not welfare
The aged pension is an entitlement and Centrelink should not be treating it as welfare. All Australians should be entitled to it as a reward for a lifetime of contribution to Australia. While it is true that some contribute more than others, we live in one of the most democratic countries in the world, and … Continue reading The aged pension is not welfare
How Australia scammed students into welfare debt
Imagine if the Australian government told people they had to willingly repay their social security entitlements, and also pay interest on it. And imagine if people agreed. Sounds a bit far-fetched? Well that's exactly what happened between 1993-2003. The Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) was a scam introduced by the Australian government 30 years ago, … Continue reading How Australia scammed students into welfare debt
Centrelink has a communication problem
My case officer at Centrelink has told me that they are not allowed to send or receive emails and the same rule applies with text messages. Apparently they don't want to commit to anything in writing. This is compounded by the fact that it is near impossible to get through to them on the phone, … Continue reading Centrelink has a communication problem
Mutual obligations should be scrapped
Mutual obligations is a punitive system introduced by the LNP government in their dying days as a final swipe at Australia's most vulnerable. Under the system, jobseekers must complete a range of tasks each month - such as job applications, education or training, or other personal development activities - to meet their requirements. The various … Continue reading Mutual obligations should be scrapped
Centrelink payments to rise from Monday
Centrelink payments will rise from Monday 20 March, as part of the twice yearly increases driven by indexation. While the rises are welcome, they are still not enough. Single age and disability pension recipients and carers will receive an increase of $37.50 a fortnight, and couples a combined $56.40. The maximum fortnightly pension rate will … Continue reading Centrelink payments to rise from Monday
Centrelink’s “deserving” and “undeserving” poor
The Robodebt Royal Commission has heard that the former LNP government had a strong view of "deserving" and "undeserving" poor when it came to Centrelink. Exactly what this means is unclear, but it sounds very ominous. It seems to want to create division between those that the government see as worthy, and those they see … Continue reading Centrelink’s “deserving” and “undeserving” poor
Centrelink’s phone system is not working
"Your call is important to us. Please stay on the line until your call is no longer important to you." Anybody who has ever tried to use Centrelink's automated phone system will tell you it doesn't work. Only Centrelink seem to think it does, and they're doing nothing to fix it The current system automatically … Continue reading Centrelink’s phone system is not working
Result of my first hearing at the AAT against Centrelink
Yesterday I had my first hearing at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), and it went exactly as expected. The AAT rejected the law and affirmed Centrelink's decision. This was in relation to a periodic lottery win that I received in October 2022, $5,000 a month for 12 months. If the win had been a $60,000 … Continue reading Result of my first hearing at the AAT against Centrelink
We need a Centrelink Royal Commission
The Australian government established Centrelink with the primary purpose of providing aid to individuals who are in need of it. Unfortunately, Australian residents don't believe the agency has performed effectively, which is why a Royal Commission is needed to intervene and restore order. But why is a Royal Commission necessary, and what will its objectives … Continue reading We need a Centrelink Royal Commission
Centrelink are still using income averaging
Income averaging was found to be illegal by the Federal Court in the Robodebt Test Case of Amato vs Commonwealth (2019), yet Centrelink still use this methodology when calculating income for certain windfalls. These windfalls include lottery wins, inheritances, gifts, bequests, insurance payments, bursaries, scholarships and anything else Centrelink decide is income, if they are … Continue reading Centrelink are still using income averaging
Centrelink needs to be broken up
Centrelink is a totally dysfunctional organisation, due in large part to the fact that it has become too big to be able to function efficiently or effectively. They administer all forms of benefit payments, and the call centre staff rarely know the answers to an enquiry when they are called. That is, if one can … Continue reading Centrelink needs to be broken up
Centrelink staff need to learn some manners
One thing that was consistent during the Robodebt Royal Commission was Centrelink's victims reporting that staff had been rude and aggressive. Sadly, this has not changed. Witnesses at the Royal Commission recounted that staff had yelled at them, mocked them, refused to listen to any defence and generally treated them with contempt. Witnesses recalled being … Continue reading Centrelink staff need to learn some manners
It is social security, not welfare
In the pre-Centrelink days, the unemployed, disabled, aged, marginalised and students were treated with some respect by the Australian government. Those days are long gone. Up until 1997, Australia had the Department of Social Security, which administered social security payments. This is how they were referred to by both the government and the department. Then … Continue reading It is social security, not welfare
Centrelink are in the firing line, and it’s about time
My recent article The aged pension is not welfare has now been read by nearly 40,000 people in just two days, and I have received emails from over 100 people having problems with Centrelink. The response has been overwhelming. I have responded to many of these emails, and will respond to all of them over … Continue reading Centrelink are in the firing line, and it’s about time
The aged pension is not welfare
The aged pension is an entitlement and Centrelink should not be treating it as welfare. All Australians should be entitled to it as a reward for a lifetime of contribution to Australia. While it is true that some contribute more than others, we live in one of the most democratic countries in the world, and … Continue reading The aged pension is not welfare
How Centrelink are causing domestic abuse in Australian families
Centrelink are a major contributor to domestic abuse in Australian families because of their antiquated laws, and it is time the Australian government stepped in and stopped it. Under Centrelink law, if one partner in a relationship is working, the other partner is not entitled to any income support, or gets a drastically decreased amount. … Continue reading How Centrelink are causing domestic abuse in Australian families
Centrelink legislation is in drastic need of reform
The Social Security Act and Social Security (Administration) Act each contain over 1,000 sections, most of which are designed to deny people payments, and many of which are in contradiction to other legislation.Lottery wins, insurance payments and inheritances, when paid in more than one payment, are not classified as income by the Australian Taxation office, … Continue reading Centrelink legislation is in drastic need of reform
Craig Hill 