A TRUGANINA woman who defrauded Centrelink of nearly $24,000 in falsely claimed welfare payments has avoided jail.
Karin-Ann Wilson last week pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining financial advantage after Centrelink detected she had been understating her income by more than $59,000.
According to the Department of Human Services, Wilson received single parenting payments from April 2005 to March 2008 and since November 2008. She also received an Austudy allowance from March to November 2008.
Werribee Magistrates Court heard Wilson began casual work at two recruitment firms in January 2007 and August 2008. Both were ongoing in late 2008. Her total earnings in these periods were $66,900, but she told Centrelink she had earned $7097.
Department of Public Prosecutions spokeswoman Kathy Medved said Wilson received welfare money to which she was only partially entitled. The fraud was picked up by Centrelink’s data-matching system, which compares information on clients with other federal agencies and government departments.
The court heard Wilson cares for five children aged 5-10, including one who has a behavioural disorder.
While Wilson’s defence counsel sought a community corrections order with counselling and unpaid community work, Magistrate Andrew McKenna said the extent of the crime mandated a conviction, and in some cases, immediate imprisonment.
Wilson was fined $1000 and was ordered to repay $23,499 to Centrelink. She was sentenced six months’ imprisonment but the term was wholly suspended.
Centrelink general manager Hank Jongen said Wilson’s conviction was a clear warning that stealing from taxpayers would not be tolerated.
“Social security payments are intended to support people at times when they cannot afford to support themselves,” he said.
