Isn't it wonderful that newcomers to Australia are becoming more sophisticated in an area as complicated as social welfare? It does the heart good.
A few "couples" have been caught scamming the system, but there seems to be a slight problem when the bean counters in charge of the program have a small attitude issue.
Polygamy is illegal in Australia, but a Centrelink spokeswoman said it was not the welfare agency's job to police polygamy laws."
"It's not our concern if they are a member of a polygamist relationship," the spokeswoman said."We look at whether they are receiving the correct rate of payment. We treat each couple independently."
Sweet!
"There's nothing preventing them from being in more than one 'member of a couple' relationship at a time," he said. "In these cases, Centrelink pays each person the relevant income-tested payment at the partnered rate."
"Some Muslim men have married several wives in their country of origin or at local mosques so they are not recognised under Australian law by state-based births, deaths and marriage registries."
You following the logic here? They go "back home" to get some more wives that are not recognized by Australian law, but the Australian welfare system pays the multiple partners welfare payments?
Is welfare not a government program under the law?
But never fear, love conquers all.
"Islamic Friendship Association of Australia president Keysar Trad said he believed "not many more than 50" Muslim families in Australia were polygamist. But he said he also knew of non-Muslim men who had more than one de facto wife who claimed Centrelink payments."
Mr Trad agreed only those who could afford a second wife, without reliance on Centrelink, should marry more than one woman.[ed note: that's cute]
"Marriage, whether they are single or plural, I believe in the old adage, they are made in heaven," he said.
Update From Oz:
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