Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: Commonwealth Ombud Iain Anderson has initiated an investigation into Services Australia and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations regarding potentially illegal cancellations of around 1,000 welfare payments.

The inquiry follows a referral from the Australian Council of Social Services and concerns misunderstandings related to the Targeted Compliance Framework, which imposes obligations on welfare recipients.

Anderson aims to determine whether these cancellation decisions were made lawfully and fairly, noting the potential impact on vulnerable individuals while avoiding duplication of ongoing departmental reviews.