Fed: Gov't foreshadows breach overhaul, but defends system

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2001
Fed: Gov't foreshadows breach overhaul, but defends system

The federal government has foreshadowed an overhaul of Centrelink breach procedures
but is defending welfare penalties against claims they are unjustifiably harsh.

A Salvation Army report has condemned the government's system of penalties for welfare
recipients who broke their payment rules, as morally wrong.

The charity says the penalties, which include a 100 per cent disqualification from
payment, are driving people to crime in order to survive.

Community Services Minister LARRY ANTHONY says while the government believes sanctions
are necessary to ensure people comply with the rules.

He says a review currently underway is looking at ways to ease the impact of sanctions.

Mr ANTHONY says the government already allows people on welfare to erase their breaches
by enrolling in Work for the Dole schemes.

Meanwhile, Labor says the government's harsh penalties stand in stark contrast to the
Coalition's leniency to Small Business Minister IAN MACFARLANE over a GST scheme in an
electorate fundraiser.

AAP RTV rft/daw/wz/rp

KEYWORD: BREACH (CANBERRA)

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