![\"News](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/FakeNews2-300x163.jpg?resize=300%2C163\")
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Finance Minister Mathias Cormann<\/a> has labeled false the claims made on Sunday by News Corp that, “Centrelink is ignoring Islamic polygamy, paying spousal benefits to Muslim families with multiple wives in an effort to save taxpayers\u2019 money”.<\/p>\n In a story by\u00a0Samantha Maiden<\/a>\u00a0which was splashed across multiple front pages, it was claimed that,\u00a0Centrelink \u2018legalises\u2019 multiple Muslim wives.<\/a>\u00a0The article suggested that, “The welfare agency has revealed it refuses to collect data on polygamous marriages under Islamic law, despite the fact some families are claiming to be living in a domestic relationship with more than one woman when claiming welfare.”\u00a0However, Mr Cormann told Sky News <\/a>that the assertion was false and single welfare recipients receive a higher rate than those in a partnership.<\/p>\n “The government of course doesn’t recognise multiple marriages,” he said.<\/p>\n “They question when it comes to welfare payments is do you get the higher single rate or do you get the lower partner rate?”<\/p>\n “You don’t pay welfare payments to a family, you pay welfare payments to the individual. Eligibility is assessed on an individual basis.”<\/p>\n