Correction to last post

Dear Mario,

Thank-you for forwarding to our office a copy of an email regarding social security payments for refugees and aged pensioners. 

I have enclosed for your information a media release issued in July 2008 by the then Minister for Human Services, Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig, that deals with the incorrect claims contained in this email. 

I hope this information is of assistance to you.  Should you require any further advice on issues relating to the Federal Government, please do not hesitate to contact our office. 

Yours Sincerely,

Nadia Carretta. 

Office of the Hon Tony Smith MP

Email misinformation campaign continues to target refugees and age pensioners

Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, has used National Refugee Week to urge people not to become victims of an internet-based misinformation campaign that makes false claims about refugee entitlements.

The myth:

The baseless claims try to create confusion and discontent, alleging that refugees in Australia receive significantly more financial support than age pensioners.

“These claims are completely false and deliberately try to divide our community by gutter wedge politics”.

The campaign, which operates through the internet, emails, blogs and chat rooms, claims that refugees receive $2,500 in welfare payments each month and suggests senior

Australians would be better off as refugees.

“The claims have been repeated in numerous media stories over the past year and the urban legend even has its own Wikipedia page outlining the campaign’s origins in Canada and the United States.

“I’m very disappointed people are continuing to perpetuate these myths – it’s only causing unnecessary concern and angst among both refugee groups and age pensioners.

The facts:

Senator Ludwig said refugees to Australia do not receive higher rates of payment than age pensioners.

“In fact, there are no separate rates of payment for refugees and they are not eligible for more assistance from Centrelink than any other customer,” said Senator Ludwig.

“As with any Centrelink customer, the rate of payments available to a refugee depends upon individual circumstances. As an example, a refugee who qualifies for Age Pension, would receive exactly the same rate as an Australian citizen whose income, assets and relationship circumstances were the same.

“I would encourage anyone who receives these messages to reply and tell the sender they have been the victim of a hoax.”

“These deliberately false allegations also detract from the spirit of National Refugee Week, a time to reflect on the challenges faced by those forced to flee their own countries, hoping to find a better life here in Australia.”

Senator Ludwig said Centrelink would continue to play a key role in helping refugees

establish new lives and a secure home in Australia.

National Refugee Week (June 15-June 21) is this year themed “A Place to Call Home”.

Since the end of World War II Australia has provided a safe haven to more than 700,000 refugees

“It’s never easy to pack up and start a new life in a country where you don’t know the language or culture, even more so if you’ve suffered torture and trauma.

“Centrelink and its teams of specialist such as the Refugee Servicing Team and Multicultural Service Officers understand the challenges faced by refugees. Many of these officers have themselves arrived in Australia as refugees from war-torn countries.

"They work closely with a range of Government and community based organisations to help refugees make their transition into Australia easier.

“Centrelink offers immediate access to support payments and services including interpreters, social workers, psychologists, a Multilingual Call Centre, multilingual fact sheets and brochures in nearly 70 different languages as well as access to English language and literacy classes. Centrelink plays a key role in assisting refugees to find employment”.

For more information about the Refugee Servicing Team or any of Centrelink’s assistance to Multicultural Australians go to www.centrelink.gov.au, call 13 1202, or see the staff at your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre.