Government repeatedly ignored foreigner’s Medicare fraud, on top of the abuse of his wife

A dangerous and abusive foreigner who was waved into Australia by bumbling immigration officials has also managed to dodge an investigation into his defrauding of Medicare.

Despite damning evidence about the man’s fleecing of taxpayer funds being provided to several agencies, the government has failed to take any action.

The man, a foreign national from North America, subjected his ex-wife to years of emotional and physical violence, coercive control, and financial abuse.

On Monday, news.com.au exposed the shock failings that saw the Department of Immigration effectively notify him that his terrified spouse – the sponsor of his visa – was preparing to flee.

After realising the serious and dangerous breach of procedures, authorities scrambled to reverse the decision, and then two days later, abruptly granted him permanent residency.

After news.com.au’s reporting, Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke demanded answers about the appalling handling of the matter.

“I have met with my department to discuss the systems that allowed this error to be made,” Mr Burke said. “Given there has been no process before the courts in this case, I have asked my department to urgently advise me of my options.”

It can now be revealed that multiple reports about the man’s significant defrauding of Medicare were made to several government agencies but have not been investigated.

News.com.au has viewed evidence, including the man’s own admissions that he assumed an Australian citizen’s identify to undergo a major surgery under Medicare.

In July 2018, while he was in the country on a working holiday visa, he was admitted to a Greater Melbourne hospital for an operation on his leg.

In text messages, the man conceded he was having the procedure using someone else’s Medicare details and was admitted under that individual’s name.

He sent photographs of his knee as well as several selfies, which showed him wearing a hospital gown and donning a surgical hairnet, from his ward bed.

He was an admitted patient for three days.

Before the operation, news.com.au understands he used the Australian’s Medicare benefits to access the services of a specialist as well as a radiologist.

After the surgery, he also fraudulently benefited from rehabilitation care as well as pharmaceuticals to aide in his recovery.

The man was not eligible for Medicare-funded procedures at the time.

Multiple reports about the fraud were made by several people to the Australian Federal Police, Medicare, and Crime Stoppers Victoria.

SaferSteps domestic and family violence consultant Kellene Elder said she was dismayed that no action was taken over the fraud.

“The authorities largely ignored these actions, which should have resulted in serious legal repercussions and visa cancellation,” Ms Elder said.

“This failure to act on fraudulent activities not only undermines the integrity of Australia’s immigration and healthcare systems but also allows the perpetrator to continue his abusive behaviour unchecked.”

Hank Jongen, general manager of Services Australia – the agency that manages Medicare – wouldn’t be drawn on specifics of this case for privacy reasons.

“We understand that this can make people feel like nothing is being done, however we take all reports of suspected fraud seriously and our specialist officers assess every tip off we receive,” Mr Jongen said in a statement.

However, news.com.au understands from its inquiries little was done following the reports, and the man was not even contacted by investigators.

The Australian Federal Police confirmed it had received reports of the man’s fraud, but washed its hands of any responsibility. That’s despite the instances of identity theft, visa violations and fraud falling under its jurisdiction.

“The AFP advised the complainant that the allegation of Medicare fraud should be reported to Services Australia,” a spokesperson told news.com.au in a statement.

Australian Border Force, which also received numerous reports about the man from multiple people, did not respond.

The man’s terrified ex-wife, who cannot be named for legal reasons but has been given the pseudonym of Natalie for the purposes of reporting, remains living in fear for safety.

“I don’t know what else to do,” she said.

“The police can’t help, Immigration can’t help, Border Force won’t help. I’ve reached out to the government, to ministers, pleading for them to help me. This man is dangerous.

“I’ve lost my business. I have to sell my home. I have to leave Melbourne. I most likely have to leave my family, my community, for someone who’s been in the country for four years, because no one will intervene.

“The most I’ve had from (Home Affairs) is a letter saying they’ve used my case to make policy changes so that it doesn’t happen to anyone else. That’s fine, but what about me?”

Despite multiple reports to police about the man’s violence, as well as his continuing stalking and threats post-separation, he has not been charged.

That’s despite examples of the man breaching family intervention violence orders, obtained on Natalie’s behalf by police.

Ms Elder, who has been working with Natalie, is equally horrified at the multiple failings by police and government agencies.

“Natalie has been failed countless times by the very systems designed to protect her,” she said.

“Despite overwhelming evidence, including a documented history of domestic violence, visa fraud, and the misuse of legal processes, her ex-partner has continued his abuse unchecked.

“As a result, she remains at significant risk of harm.”