Leaflet writer paid $2640 by Centrelink

Leaflet writer paid $2640 by Centrelink

ADELAIDE — The Social Security Appeals Tribunal has ordered Centrelink to put Norm Barber back on the dole and pay him $2640.

Centrelink had cancelled Barber's Newstart payments on March 30 after accusing him of not looking for work. The decision came after Barber began distributing a leaflet, "How to Avoid Work For The Dole", outside Centrelink offices.

Centrelink managers called the local police, the Australian Federal Police, the censorship board, the Australian Government Solicitor and private law firm Edmond Barton Chambers but could not legally stop Barber. So Centrelink stopped his dole payments.

The Social Security Appeals Tribunal agreed that Centrelink had stopped Barber's payments because he had been distributing of leaflets. The tribunal ruled that Barber is actively looking for work.

The text of the "How to Avoid Work for the Dole" can be obtained by emailing Norm Barber at <standardoil@hotmail.com> or <gumflat88@hotmail.com>.

From GLW issue 416