Honest, law abiding residents are being falsely accused of committing welfare fraud as a result of the Centrelink debt-recovery debacle.

Serious flaws in the Turnbull Government’s program have seen local people sent threatening letters demanding payment of debts – which they do not in fact owe.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the Turnbull Government must fix this mess immediately.

“Every day I hear more cases of innocent local people being treated like criminals and fraudsters by the Turnbull Government,” Mr Neumann said.

“It is not only unfair, it is hurting vulnerable people whose lives have been turned upside down as a result of these threatening letters.

“I do think that people who have done the wrong thing and rorted the system should pay back any money owing; it’s only fair.

“But far too many people who appear to have done nothing wrong are being caught up in the latest Turnbull Government debacle.

“At the same time they are targeting current and former Centrelink customers, and have cut the pensions of 1 460 local people, they are giving big business and the banks a $50 billion tax cut.”

Mr Neumann said he receives calls and emails every day from people who have received bills for $1,000 to $40,000; some from as long as six or seven years ago – far longer than the time frame given by Centrelink and the Tax Office for keeping of pay slips and financial information.

“This is another major debacle that has eroded all confidence in the program and this deeply flawed Government.

“Any local people who believe they do not owe these funds should immediately appeal the information to Centrelink and possibly seek legal aid assistance.”