Revealed: How the Albanese government fast-tracked payments to asylum seekers while Aussies wait months – after High Court ruling set murderers and rapists free

Asylum seekers released from detention following a controversial Supreme Court ruling have had their welfare benefits fast-tracked, while Australians wait months for claims to be processed by Services Australia.

The 149 refugees – including convicted murderers and rapists – received Status Resolution Support Services within 14 days of their release from detention following federal government intervention.

The payments provide temporary support to asylum seekers while they await a decision on their immigration status.

Services Australia could not confirm the dollar amount each inmate receives every fortnight as this depends on the level of support they are eligible for.

But it did confirm that the Home Office, led by Minister Claire O’Neil, intervened to ensure a smooth transition for detainees affected by the ‘NZYQ’ Supreme Court ruling.

Meanwhile, ordinary Australians are waiting much longer for support as they navigate the often frustrating and complicated Services Australia system.

Aussies wait an average of 91 days to access the aged care pension, 82 days to access disability support and 80 days for father and partner payments.

There are still a million claims waiting to be processed through various schemes, including paid parental leave, job search and disability support.

Tens of thousands of those customers have been waiting for an answer for more than thirty days.

Senator Linda Reynolds, who recently announced she would not re-contest her spot in the Senate, questioned the Home Office during parliamentary hearings on Tuesday about the services available to the released prisoners.

According to a Supreme Court ruling, 149 prisoners – including criminal murderers and rapists – walked free on the streets of Australia

The government opposed this, but their detention was eventually declared unconstitutional

After several representatives insisted they were not aware of or involved in high-level discussions about the detainees, Tony Piazza, Services Australia’s general manager for tailored programs, appeared before the inquiry to answer her questions.

He said: ‘The total cohort (receiving payments) is in the order of approximately 149.

‘Of these, 103 have switched to a special benefit.’

Mr Piazza did not define what “special benefits” inmates were entitled to, nor did he answer Ms Reynolds’ questions about how much money the 149 people received.

Sen. Linda Reynolds, who recently announced she would not recontest her spot in the Senate, questioned the department about the detainees and the services available to them.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles is under continued pressure over the row

He did confirm that they received money every two weeks.

“The rate is set by the Interior Department,” he told the Senate estimates hearing.

“There’s a series of bands they sign up for, and they determine if the individual qualifies.

“The Interior Department has engaged a third party to help these people navigate the system.”

Dozens of questions from Senator Reynolds were noted, prompting a reprimand during the hearing.

“This is not a difficult question and something that is completely predictable that would be asked,” she said.

After the estimates hearing, she said: “The Albanian Labor government is treating more than 100 former prisoners, including convicted murderers and rapists, better than Australians in need of welfare.

‘It takes an average of 91 days for an aged care pensioner to receive benefits, yet these criminals receive benefits within 14 days – this is a shame.

“Not only is the Albanian Labor government giving these criminals special treatment, but it is also trying to hide this from Australians.”

Opposition spokesman for Immigration and Citizenship Dan Tehan said Australians would question the government’s motives.

“If public safety was Labour’s top priority, their response to the release of 149 hardened criminals into the community would not have been such a mess,” he said.

“If supporting Australians were Labor’s top priority, there wouldn’t be long queues to access social benefits or see a doctor.

“It seems that the only ambition of the Albanian Labor government was to be a divisive vote, which wasted $400 million and ended in failure.

“Australians will ask: who is Labor governing for? Because it doesn’t feel like it’s ruling for them.”

Daily Mail Australia approached the minister responsible for Services Australia, Bill Shorten, for comment.