Fraud charges, Springsure

Detectives from State Crime Command’s Rockhampton Major and Organised Crime Squad (Rural) have charged a Springsure primary producer with 26 fraud related offences.

It will be alleged the 31-year-old woman fraudulently obtained drought relief subsidies by forging and uttering invoices when applying for the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme, facilitated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) in relation to the Fodder Freight Subsidy and Emergency Water Infrastructure rebates between 2013 – 2015.

The Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) is a scheme set up by the Queensland Government to help primary producers in the grazing industries, manage their livestock resource during drought and to help in the restoration of that resource after drought.

Detective Sergeant Glenn Powell of MOCS Rural Rockhampton said it is disappointing as the woman has taken advantage of an assistance scheme put in place to assist the very likes of herself.

A 31-year-old Springsure woman is expected to appear in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court on January 24.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

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