A 27-year-old Oberon mother of three will have to pay back more than $22,000 to Centrelink after appearing before Bathurst Local Court on Monday.
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Krystal Veronica Annetts of Tarana Road pleaded guilty to receiving financial advantage from a Commonwealth entity.
She was placed on a 12 month good behaviour bond, ordered to pay $81 in court costs, and make reparations of $22,286.15.
The offence was alleged to have taken place between November 28, 2006 and February 2, 2009 at Oberon. The court was told the defendant had obtained financial advantage for herself through claiming a parenting payment at a higher rate than she was entitled to.
She was separated from her partner at the time the offences were committed.
The Crown alleged that between November 28, 2006 and February 4, 2009 the defendant was employed by Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust earning $57,761.07 buts declared no income to Centrelink.
It was also alleged that between October 13, 2008 and February 16, 2009 she was employed at Foodworks in Bathurst earning $6903 and declared no income.
The court was also told the defendant had one prior debt with Centrelink for under declaring her income for employment between July 11, 2006 and November 13, 2006, incurring a debt of $1593.94.
Her legal representative Mr Harris said at the time the defendant was left raising three small children by herself.
He said the motivation was to provide for her family. She is now back together with her husband.
“She understood she wasn’t entitled to it at the time and is very ashamed of what she has done,” Mr Harris said.
In sentencing Ms Annetts Magistrate Michael Allen said he had taken into account the defendant’s history and circumstances.
“It is however, a considerable amount of money. There must be a conviction,” he said.
“The majority of the community supports those in need of financial help but there needs to be a clear message.
“If they do the wrong thing they will face criminal conviction and all doors will be closed to them,” Mr Allen said.