Melbourne mum pockets $150,000 from Centrelink after error
A Melbourne mum who pocketed $150,000 in Centrelink payments after the government department incorrectly assessed her income, has reportedly been using the cash to fund a lavish lifestyle, and is yet to pay back the debt.
A Current Affair reports Fatma Sleiman, from Melbourne, now owes the federal government $147,629, after a mistake was made assessing her property portfolio.
Ms Sleiman reportedly owns two homes and is self-employed, yet still received $107,000 in childcare assistance and over $40,000 in carer payment from Centrelink.
A Current Affair reporters ambushed Ms Sleiman in her driveway and asked if she intends to pay back the outstanding amount, to which she replied, “You don't know, I am.”
This comes a month after it was revealed Centrelink had overpaid welfare recipients a sum to the tune of $2.84 billion, and the Turnbull government wants that cash back.
Incoming Humans Services Minister Michael Keenan has commented on these kind of errors before, saying more often than not they’re caused by human error or fraud.
“It is important that system operates with integrity, that people are not overpaid more than they are entitled to,” he said.
“If you have been defrauding the system, you can expect us to come down on you like a tonne of bricks.”
What are your thoughts? Do you think Centrelink is doing enough?
Hero image credit: Facebook / A Current Affair