News Corp’s claims of Muslim husbands with multiple wives claiming multiple Centrelink payments dismissed by Finance Minister Mathias Cormann.
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(December 11, 2016) – Mathias Cormann rejects News Corp assertions.
(December 11, 2016) – Complaint registered with Australian Press Council.
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Mathias Cormann rejects News Corp assertions
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has labeled false the claims made on Sunday by News Corp that, “Centrelink is ignoring Islamic polygamy, paying spousal benefits to Muslim families with multiple wives in an effort to save taxpayers’ money”.
In a story by Samantha Maiden which was splashed across multiple front pages, it was claimed that, Centrelink ‘legalises’ multiple Muslim wives. The article suggested that, “The welfare agency has revealed it refuses to collect data on polygamous marriages under Islamic law, despite the fact some families are claiming to be living in a domestic relationship with more than one woman when claiming welfare.” However, Mr Cormann told Sky News that the assertion was false and single welfare recipients receive a higher rate than those in a partnership.
“The government of course doesn’t recognise multiple marriages,” he said.
“They question when it comes to welfare payments is do you get the higher single rate or do you get the lower partner rate?”
“You don’t pay welfare payments to a family, you pay welfare payments to the individual. Eligibility is assessed on an individual basis.”
SBS News also reported a statement from a Department of Social Services spokesperson.
“When granting income support, the department determines whether a payment is made at the single or partnered rate.
“Being in more than one member-of-a-couple relationship has no bearing on that assessment – if you are in a member-of-a-couple relationship then you will be assessed at the partnered rate.”
Eligibility is determined on an individual’s circumstances and there are no additional payments for having multiple partners.
Customers with multiple partners are assessed exactly the same as any other person, under Australian law.
The department added it did not hold data based on polygamous relationships or religion.”
The spokesperson also mentioned that News Corp had quoted unverified departmental claims from 2010.
“The Department of Social Services said the article in News Corp published on Sunday included unverified quotes from an article published 2010.”
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Complaint registered with Australian Press Council
Seeking comment, NoFibs has lodged a complaint with the Australian Press Council over Sunday’s coverage.
“Dear APC,
Please consider this complaint under the accuracy and clarity standard and the fairness and balance standard.
On multiple front pages published widely in print and digitally across Australia on Sunday, Dec 11 2016, News Corp alleged in an article that, “Centrelink ‘legalises’ multiple Muslim wives”.
However, this was misleading as other media organisation such as Sky News later reported that Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said this was inaccurate. Please see http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2016/12/11/centrelink–turning-a-blind-eye-to-polygamy-.html
A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services also told AAP via SBS News that the News Corp article was inaccurate. Please see http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/12/11/anger-over-welfare-payments-wives-polygamous-marriages
In terms of fairness and balance, at the time of publishing, the allegations in the article were not presented to the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the relevant Australian government minister for the portfolio, a cabinet minister or a government spokesperson.
In closing, the article was biased, inaccurate and misleading to the Australian public.
Thank you for consideration of this complaint.
Regards
David Marler.”
-Ends