A Case of Misrepresentation

In this article we examine the extent of social security fraud in Australia and the sentencing outcomes for a sample of social security recipients prosecuted in two magistrates’ courts in Queensland. What the empirical study illustrates is that the characteristics of those prosecuted for social security fraud challenge the media driven stereotype of the organised criminal willingly defrauding the government for large sums of money. In terms of sentencing outcomes, we conclude that people prosecuted for welfare fraud have a high conviction rate and may lack independent legal representation. In the final analysis, we make an argument for examining the issue of social security fraud in the context of labour market changes and levels of poverty and shifting social security policy objectives.