An “unprecedented increase” in the number of people using Financial Assistance has led to Government launching an anonymous hotline for the public to report cases of fraud.

According to Wayne Scott, the Minister of Community, Culture and Sport, Government spent more than $36 million on assistance between January and October, 2013.

“Staff at the Department of Financial Assistance is consistently being questioned by members of the public who know or suspect clients of abusing our support and services,” Mr Scott said.

“With so many people in genuine need of Financial Assistance, we must be prudent with the management of Financial Assistance budget. We are committed to stopping people from feeling they can get away with fraud. Clients and the Department have an equal share in making sure that those who need receive the support and those who are misusing the system are caught.”

The confidential hotline to report misuse is 297-STOP, or 297-7867.