11.1.3.1 — Income support cases which are likely to attract adverse media attention ('media-sensitive' cases) should be notified to the Branch Head, Income Support. Cases likely to attract media scrutiny would include those involving sizeable overpayment recovery action, or where a veteran's eligibility to receive payment of a pension or benefit has not been found to be sustainable, e.g. 'false veterans'. Referral of these cases to National Office will allow the circumstances of the case to be examined in anticipation of public or media interest.
11.1.3.2 — The information to be provided to National Office should include a brief summary of the circumstances of the case. This would include:
11.1.3.3 — The assessment of whether an income support overpayment case, or a non-eligibility case, is sufficiently sensitive to warrant referral to National Office should include, but not be limited to, the following factors:
The assessment of whether cases are of sufficient sensitivity to be referred to National Office will require a considered judgement of all relevant factors of the case. Staff should have regard to the Department's Risk Management Policy, which acknowledges that all judgements involve some degree of risk. A balance should be sought between the risks associated with not taking action against possible fraudulent behaviour, against the cost of investigating and referring non-sensitive or marginal cases where the evidence of fraud is not persuasive.
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