Not our job to police payment spending- Centrelink GM

Centrelink general manager Hank Jongen has addressed concerns that payments made under the Federal Government's economic stimulus will be spent inappropriately.

Speaking to ABC Radio National today, Mr Jongen said it is not up to the welfare agency to "police" peoples' spending.

Western Australian premier Colin Barnett and Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan have raised concerns that payments made under the Government's $10.4 billion stimulus package will fuel gambling and anti-social behaviour.

But Mr Jongen says it is not Centrelink's responsibility to police how the payments, which will be distributed from December 8 to 19, should be spent.

"Centrelink's role is one to deliver services on behalf of the Federal Government," he said.

"This package has been introduced to stimulate the economy.

"We don't have an obligation, other than those areas in which income management is in place ... to police how people choose to spend their money.

He said how the money is spent will mostly come down to how recipients choose to use the payments.

"From our perspective, the lump sum payments will be income managed in communities where income management applies," he said.

"But across the board, it really is a question of individual choice, and how they choose to use that money."

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Wed 19th November 2008 - 08:50pm