Centrelink fiasco: when can the government release your personal information?
1 March 2017
The Guardian
Information about a welfare recipient is considered protected but there are exceptions to the rule
advice
The wait continues at Centrelink and tips to navigate it
17 February 2017
The Age
Centrelink's phone lines are about to get better… no really, they're meant to, but you just have to wait a little longer for it to happen.
That's the line I'm getting from the Department of Human Services, which has copped a hammering in recent weeks over the government's controversial robo debt recovery scheme and its high error rates in clawing back overpaid welfare payments.
National Social Security Rights Network recommendations: Centrelink online compliance and debt system
13 January 2017
National Social Security Rights Network
The National Social Security Rights Network (NSSRN, formerly National Welfare Rights Network) and its member services are struggling to respond to the number of calls from people distressed about Centrelink’s new online compliance system and being informed they have debts they think are wrong.
Centrelink's automated debt system: where to get help and advice
30 January 2017
St Vincent de Paul Society
If you are affected by Centrelink’s automated debt recovery program and do not know how to respond, or believe a debt has been wrongly raised, there are number of things you can do.
How to fight a Centrelink robo-debt in 10 (not so easy) steps
27 January 2017
Green Left Weekly
I became aware that Centrelink were trying to pin a cooked-up “robo-debt” of $5558 on me through a text message from the aptly named Probe group debt collection agency.
There resources about how to dispute a Centrelink debt letter, including GetUp! which has a page that sends a bunch of letters to key places in one go.
But given the large and growing number affected by this $4.5 billion heist, I thought I would share my experience of disputing the debt in 10 not exactly easy steps.
National Social Security Rights Network calls for suspension of Centrelink online debt system and a new approach
16 January 2017
National Social Security Rights Network
As a result of our experience helping people respond to the new system so far, we support widespread calls to suspend its use unless and until concerns about it are addressed. We oppose any further roll-out of the system to other forms of data-matching at this time.
Our fundamental concern is that the new system creates an inherent and unacceptably high risk that a person may accept and repay an incorrectly raised debt. This risk is not adequately addressed by the present system. This is also leading to unacceptable levels of distress and worry among people affected and more can and should be done to reduce this.
[PDF: http://www.welfarerights.org.au/sites/default/files/news/NSSRN%20stateme...
Match making Using data - matching to find people missing out on government assistance
1 April 2014
The Australia Institute
The Australia Institute is an independent public policy think tank based in Canberra. It is funded by donations from philanthropic trusts and individuals, memberships and commissioned research. Since its launch in 1994, the Institute has carried out highly influential research on a broad range of economic, social and environmental issues.
* date released April 2012
Dealing with Centrelink's debt recovery system
14 January 2017
RN Breakfast
We've been inundated with texts and calls about the Centrelink debt recovery system, and the overwhelming message is that getting answers from Centrelink can be difficult.
But if you're having problems, what can you do?
AUDIO
Spike in Centrelink scams - ACCC
28 November 2016
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning the community to be aware of phone calls from scammers pretending to be from the Department of Human Services or Centrelink.
What should you do if you get a Centrelink debt letter?
4 January 2017
SMH
Graham Wells, principal lawyer at Social Security Rights Victoria, which provides legal advice and help for people battling various Centrelink complaints, says the organisation has been run off its feet in the wake of the debt-recovery saga plaguing the agency over the summer break.
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