A lack of "nuance" in Centrelink's compliance program is adding further risks for women experiencing family violence, Women's Legal Service Tasmania has claimed.
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The service's chief executive officer Yvette Cehtel provided two examples to a Senate hearing of Tasmanian women who had been intimidated by their partners into claiming a Centrelink benefit without stating they were in a relationship, limiting their rights when their partner became violent or financially controlling.
In one example, a woman remained on her single parent payment while in a relationship with a man who also had children after he refused to let her inform Centrelink of their change in circumstance, benefiting from her payments.
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When she left after the man became violent, she was unable to make a claim for assets in the Family Court as she could be charged with Centrelink fraud.
In another example, a woman worked casually while her partner worked interstate, earning a large income. He considered their finances separate however, and the woman told Centrelink she was single in order to support their children.
She was unable to seek a property division when they separated, and he threatened to report her to Centrelink. It was unknown how their situation progressed.
Ms Cehtel said women were being held accountable for decisions that were often forced upon them.
"Men don't get held accountable at all for what really is aiding and abetting the commission of a fraud, and can actually use the system as it currently stands to threaten these kinds of penalties," she said.
The hearing in Launceston this month, which examined Centrelink's compliance program, heard that the casualisation of work in Tasmania was making income reporting more complex for workers.
Of the 298 clients that Launceston Community Legal Centre has seen since July 1, 198 were for Centrelink documentation.
LCLC welfare rights advocate Emma Smith said the reporting process was confusing for Centrelink recipients.
"The other common issue I've found is where their reporting fortnight crosses over their pay fortnight; so they can report quite accurately for the hours they've already worked last week but they're having to project the hours they're going to work next week," she said.
"Some people hold more than one casual or part-time position, so it's the juggling and, again, probably some literacy and numeracy issues thrown into the mix."
Senator Hollie Hughes said changes to Centrelink's compliance program in the past two years were designed to ease stress on those who received notices of discrepancies in their payments.
Centrelink encourages anyone struggling with their compliance obligations to contact the customer support line on 1800 132 468. Centrelink also offers social work services for people experiencing family violence, on 132 850.