Sydney family stuck in Wuhan can't afford food after Centrelink cut off payments

There are more than 350 Australians still trapped in China's Hubei province, including almost two dozen children.Dr Cassandra Goldie from the Australian Council of Social Service called for leniency.

"The Government should have a system in place to identify people who are unable to return to Australia because of the COVID-19 travel ban, and ensure their payments are not cut due to the regular rules around overseas travel," she said. A Department of Social Services spokesperson said it could not comment on individual cases, however it was up to those affected to request an extension.

"Australian residents receiving a payment who are unable to return to Australia … because they are unwell with COVID-19, or affected by COVID-19 Australian travel bans, can request an extension … to ensure their payment is not suspended or cancelled," the spokesperson said. Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said an international hotline was available for those affected.She said Centrelink asked for proof their grandmother was unwell, but the family couldn't get a medical certificate from the hospital as they were unable to leave their apartment.No further evacuation flights are planned.

Families in Australia on Centrelink can’t afford food.

Someone stuffed up at Centrelink or Centrelink was never told that recipients were travelling overseas. This is a case of fraud and how many times previously have these people done it. Should not be receiving any benefits while out of Australia.

I've gotta say CHINESE people definitely aren't my favourite race of people at the moment! They start a PANDEMIC and then expect people to feel sorry for them because they're Centrelink has been cut off WTF I think I actually HATE them!!

That's Centrelink for you, at its best when you're ant your worst. 99.9 percent of their staff, combined with have a full brain, if it isn't on their computer, it's all to hard, it's outside the box.

Why are Australian taxpayers paying for Chinese benefits?

You get centrelink payments when you live in Australia...obviously had enough money to fly to China

FatherBob Afford to go to China tough

Centrelink isn't designed for you personal holiday funds

But they can afford to travel to China on Centrelink payments. Don’t believe the hype.

I read the story.... the problem is centre link has rules. Rules are followed until changed by minister/dept heads. The Rules are not flexible enough to deal with emergencies like this.

Stick a few tubs of baby formula in each case and holiday all paid.

$1000/p is not free flight!

Set a goal and control your spending, it can takes years of saving but I just don’t know if it is possible?

Blahaha

That sucks....... This 'Sydney family' should probably remember next time that taxpayer funded welfare is not for you to spend on overseas holidays

Taxpayers fund Centrelink while Centrelink beneficiaries can use money buying tickets for family going Wuhan. Wow.

Christ that’s the last straw - Australia you should be ashamed

WOW! The ignorance and hatred directed at people in a difficult situation. No one on this site knows the real story and yet immediately judge this family as welfare bludgers. Would the replies be different if the family were white? I think so. Very sad.

I assume they are Australian citizens. If not bad luck.

Their not even Australian! Wake up. Worked here all their Life did they? Entitled to unemployment/Pension Why because their Son did University in Australia and Stayed, our system is a one big rort!!

you can go overseas for 4 weeks if you let them know and keep the payments anything more and its cut off. this is to stop dual nationals from get pensions from both nations and living abroad

How can they afford a holiday on newstart? FFS ABC

Why are they on centrelink payments?. No information there.

The irony! In a socialist country and not getting anything from the govenrment

If they are Australian Citizens they should get every assistance from the Australian Goverment. Not if they are just permanent residence or other reason why they are getting a payment from the Department of Human Services.

The question should be, why are a family on welfare taking international holidays? Obviously still Chinese so hit up the chinese govt or isn't there a generous welfare system in a communist country

Ok that’s fucked up.

It's the classic migrant story 'I came to this country with $1 in my pocket and ended up back home on welfare' But seriously it needs sorting out! Why they haven't been given passage out is probably the bigger question!

Im sure if you start a GoFundMe they'll be right 👍

Wait what. We give people the dole to go on international holidays. Wow. No wonder people try so hard to come here. Just link it up to passport and cut off when they fly out. Simple.

Ticket would be 700$ even cheaper. Centrallink gives you 270 a week, save 70$/w for 10 weeks.

But could afford the plane tickets back to China 🤦‍♂️. Wake the F up, report the news and not $hit like this, if they are looking for sympathy they are looking in the wrong place

You already know that there's already an outbreak in Wuhan and yet you still went there...now you want to go back to Australia and spread the virus further?! You better stay there until there's cure.

The overseas ticket is not expensive, and also, living expense is much lower in wuhan than Australia.

'...but the money in our account isn't enough for both rent and food'. 1 adult + 3 kids travel os whilst on Centrelink! Appears to be poor planning. Travel insurance? What's husband doing?

Morons, get stuff sucker. Hope you won't get $750 either

How can people on welfare afford overseas travel?

auspoil Tough. Australians elected Scott Morrison in May 2019 so he could be tough on Centrelink recipients. Rules and rules and are imposed with zero tolerance and without fear or favour?

In Typical centerlink style

How good is the “You’re poor so you’re not allowed to visit your dying mother on my dollar” sentiment from people who are probably on pensions and receive welfare payments

It is no good to 100% rely on country’s welfare system. That is all the money paid by other hard workers. As I can see you are not disabled, what is no good of making the money by yourself?

deniseshrivell Migrate to aust and jump straight on welfare

deniseshrivell 🤔 yes hard to find a poor Chinese person in our country !

All these people having a go at a family on Centrelink for being on a ‘holiday’..... for all you know they had family chip in to get them over, it might not be a ‘holiday’, and regardless it’s their choice to how they live! Get back in your box!

How can they afford to travel when on Centrelink?

Australian's who have made generational contributions to the welfare net no problem but migrants that have been here for 5 mins don't deserve the luxury of traveling overseas & receiving benefits, especially now with workers having to take leave & lose a pay because of COVID-19

Ok I am really confused. I am self employed in a very small business and my partner works casual (not by choice) We can’t afford a holiday, we get no government support for lowincome and these people are travelling overseas on Centrelink? Wtf?

Is there no end to the hatred that this government and its Centrelink jackboot has for people in need? How about some robocompassion? Can we not program that into the system? Why must oppression be the default setting? auspol raisenewstart COVID19 BreakfastNews

What rubbish , visiting grandmother would mean they have more family there who can help otherwise granny would be here sponging off the state.

Wow I work and can't afford international travel how does someone on welfare travel internationally

🤣🤣👏🏼 What was the purpose of scaring this?

I’m here and fighting to get a bloody sickness allowance from Centrelink not related to Coronavirus, but they can afford to travel overseas? What a crock! I can’t afford food either! 🤬

Wait. I thought you couldn’t travel overseas while you’re on Aussie Centrelink benefits?

Interesting that you can afford to travel on Centrelink and our goodwill

Ofcause they are on welfare.

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