A GEORGE Town mother owes Centrelink $32,000 but was charged with defrauding the Commonwealth for half that amount, a court has heard.
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In a complicated case which baffled even the magistrate yesterday, Maree Cummings, 42, appeared for a facts hearing after she previously pleaded guilty to having obtained a financial advantage.
Commonwealth prosecutor Megan Hickton told the Launceston Magistrates Court that Cummings received an overpayment in her parenting benefits of $16,869.05.
The accused had failed to report her income to Centrelink between September 2011 and February 2013.
Ms Hickton said that Cummings received the maximum parenting payment and knew that working would reduce her welfare benefits.
The accused worked as a cleaner between April 2010 and February 2013 and earned $49,187.45, none of which she declared to Centrelink.
The prosecutor said that Cummings had earned $2000 a fortnight from work, parenting payments and family tax benefits.
The Australian Taxation Office found a discrepancy of $32,457.99 in May 2014.
Ms Hickton said that Centrelink contacted Cummings, who said she wanted a lawyer, but never called back.
The total amount Cummings owes Centrelink is $31,748.54, after some of her parenting payments were withheld.
Magistrate Reg Marron asked why Cummings had not been charged for her earlier conduct.
Ms Hickton said there had been a change of legislation in August 2011 and the higher amount reflected the debt that Centrelink had raised.
Defence solicitor Hannah Phillips said her client was struggling financially and making repayments of $120 a fortnight.
She said Cummings now earned $852 a fortnight from work and family tax benefits.
Mr Marron adjourned sentencing to December 9 at 2.15pm.
