When it comes to Centrelink and the Australian welfare system, most people play by the rules—after all, we know how important it is to keep things within the law.

But every now and then, a story comes along that leaves us shaking our heads and wondering how on earth someone managed to slip through the cracks for so long.

The latest jaw-dropper is the case of Dezi Freeman—a name that’s been making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Freeman, a self-proclaimed 'sovereign citizen' who reportedly refused to recognise the authority of the government, is now accused of a shocking crime spree, including the fatal shooting of two detectives in Victoria.

But before this dramatic turn, neighbours say he spent more than 20 years quietly collecting a disability pension from Centrelink.

Locals revealed a man had been collecting welfare payments for decades while questioning government authority. Credit: Facebook

According to neighbours and relatives, Freeman had been receiving a disability pension 'every week' for over two decades.

One Myrtleford local, who preferred to remain anonymous, summed up the frustration many feel: 'He never worked, never had any money … that’s what used to s*** me too because he was so against the government, but then got his Centrelink cheque every week.'

A relative confirmed the story, saying Freeman had been on benefits for years, though the exact reason for his eligibility was unclear.

The only health complaint anyone could recall was a sore tooth, though it’s been suggested he may have struggled with mental health issues in recent years.

For many Australians—especially those who’ve spent a lifetime working hard and paying taxes—stories like this can be infuriating.

The disability support pension is a vital safety net for those who genuinely need it, but it’s also a system that relies on honesty and proper oversight.

If you’ve ever applied for the Disability Support Pension (DSP), you’ll know it’s no walk in the park.

The process involves medical assessments, paperwork, and often long waiting periods. Centrelink requires evidence of a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents you from working at least 15 hours per week.

So how did Freeman manage to stay on the books for so long? It’s a question many are now asking, and it highlights the challenges Centrelink faces in monitoring long-term recipients—especially those with conditions that are hard to verify or fluctuate over time.

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Freeman’s story is made even stranger by his self-identification as a 'sovereign citizen'—a fringe movement whose members claim they’re not subject to government laws or authority.

Ironically, while Freeman reportedly railed against the government, he was happy to accept its financial support.

This contradiction isn’t lost on his neighbours, who watched him collect his Centrelink payments while refusing to participate in the rest of society.

Freeman’s story took a dark turn when he became the subject of a massive manhunt, accused of killing two police officers as they attempted to serve a warrant for alleged historic child sex offences.

The search for Freeman has now drawn in hundreds of police and even the Australian Defence Force, with aerial surveillance and planning specialists combing the rugged bushland around Mount Buffalo National Park.

Authorities believe Freeman, an experienced bushman, may be receiving help from someone on the outside.

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There’s even speculation he could be hiding in one of Victoria’s thousands of old mine shafts or in a makeshift underground bunker—places that are notoriously difficult to search.

If you’re doing the right thing, you have nothing to worry about. But if you know someone who’s rorting the system, it’s worth remembering that these cases can have real consequences—not just for the individual, but for everyone who relies on the safety net.

At the end of the day, the welfare system is built on trust. Most Australians who receive the DSP or other Centrelink payments do so because they genuinely need help.

However, when someone abuses the system, it undermines public confidence and can lead to calls for stricter rules that make life harder for everyone.

Key Takeaways

• Neighbours and a relative have revealed that Dezi Freeman claimed a Centrelink disability pension for more than 20 years, despite allegedly rejecting government authority.
• Freeman is accused of fatally shooting two detectives as police attempted to arrest him over alleged historic child sex offences in Porepunkah, Victoria, and remains on the run.
• The Australian Defence Force has joined the large-scale manhunt, providing planning support and aerial surveillance as Freeman, an experienced bushman, continues to evade capture in rugged terrain.
• Police believe Freeman may be receiving help to avoid arrest and urge anyone with information to come forward, while locals speculate he could be hiding in remote bushland or disused mine shafts.

Have you ever had a frustrating experience with Centrelink, or do you know someone who’s struggled to get the support they need? What do you think should be done to prevent cases like this from slipping through the cracks? We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

Read more: Aussie's shocking discovery in fast food favourite sparks unexpected ordeal

 

[Catherines]

Yet I know two who got through the assessment and are also on NDIS, with nothing wrong with them at all except the lazy gene. And I reported one - who was also lying about assets - but got a response from her solicitor threatening me. Centrelink did not investigate to my knowledge.

I’m pretty sure one can report to CentreLink anonymously. And I’m sorry you were in the ‘firing line’ of the threat from the solicitor. Sometimes it does pay to report (anonymously) over and over and over again to keep solicitors from threatening you. You can also write in to that Jorgens guy, the head honcho of CentreLink, without giving your name. No government employee has the right to refuse to take your call or letter to investigate and neither has any solicitor the right to threaten (guess the latter is often in it for the money their client will pay them).

 

[Isis]

His assets whatever they sre should be seized.

 

[Leenie]

I would just like to say one thing!!!! Australia is a Sovereign country , which means we are all Sovereign citizens, except this killer of our police has taken his B/S one step too far. It’s time the Death penalty was brought back to rid Australia of vermin like him and co- Horts.

 

[Viellarde]

This low life Dezi Freeman who is now costing millions of dollars in man power looking for him after shooting two detectives dead for trying to arrest him for alleged historic child sex offences should NEVER be allowed to see the light of day when caught. The mind just boggles as to HOW Centrelink payed him for 20 years. He doesn't recognize the government, its laws or authority yet has it go into Centrelink which is a government place to see them and hand in his forms. ALL these " Sovereign Citizens" should be either working or P...OFF out of the country. I'm fed up with all these law breakers getting paid by the government ( in other words it's OUR tax money) that's paying them by Centrelink to just make trouble. If they don't like it nick off to another country-simple. The government should seize his property and recoup all money owed.

Disability pension. Diagnosis of mental illness or incompetence? He qualified for support.

 

[Littleboy8]

There are rumours going around that he was shot dead a few days ago & the police are covering it up.

What a joy to the people if this rumour was true.

If he is still alive, then this is a typical reason why the Death Sentence should be brought back.

He well & truely deserves it

Can you tell me where the rumours are going around I can’t find any info on that information.

 

[natalielocket]

Some illnesses such as uncontrolled Epilepsy you have to fight very hard to get any DSP even with comprehensive reports from GPs, Neurologists and other specialists, even if you constantly lose consciousness, shake a lot or have absence seizures where you suddenly can't move or slow down but keep moving and have no control. Some have been hit by vehicles because they have walked across roads. Many are not capable of doing 15 hours a week. Yet the "powers that be" reckons they are safe to work 15 hours a week. Some have multiple seizures every day. Some people need care 24 hours a day. Some carers have to fight for Carers Pension or Allowance.

Unfortunately, not many people know much about Epilepsy. My brother suffered from it, plus other problems, but at a very young age (9), I learnt how to deal with a major or slight Epilepsy seizure. Major, I woke Mum, minor, handled it. Mum and Dad both worked. Because we only had a 3 bedroom house, 2 sisters 1 room, me and my brother in another, and of course Parents, another.

 

[StarTrekker]

Unfortunately, not many people know much about Epilepsy. My brother suffered from it, plus other problems, but at a very young age (9), I learnt how to deal with a major or slight Epilepsy seizure. Major, I woke Mum, minor, handled it. Mum and Dad both worked. Because we only had a 3 bedroom house, 2 sisters 1 room, me and my brother in another, and of course Parents, another.

My sister has uncontrolled Epilepsy, she has had it since she was 6 years old and is now 62. No medications have been able to control her seizures.

 

[Suzanne rose]

It’s never been easy to get the disability support pension, so how was it that he received it and for so long? I know that they do, do checks on people who are on disability pensions. So how was it that he wasn’t picked up by Centrelink.

I think they only check and review under 35 years of age

 

[Suzanne rose]

Unfortunately, not many people know much about Epilepsy. My brother suffered from it, plus other problems, but at a very young age (9), I learnt how to deal with a major or slight Epilepsy seizure. Major, I woke Mum, minor, handled it. Mum and Dad both worked. Because we only had a 3 bedroom house, 2 sisters 1 room, me and my brother in another, and of course Parents, another.

Hubby's cousin passed away in her sleep while having an epileptic fit. She suffercated in her pillow. She was 35 with 3 small kids.

Her Epilepsy started after she fell of a horse but her first husband used to bash her from pillow to post then hubby and her brother would deal with him while I took her to the hospital

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

Our region is riddled with conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers, sovereign citizens, freedom followers; alarmingly from ALL walks of professional life who became more apparent and more rabid during Covid when they broke the isolation laws by conducting secret markets and gatherings on their properties and cultivated “followers”.

And yet they are still alive and thriving despite being anti-vaxxers. What does that say?
I hold alot to the Government during lockdown and it had nothing to do with vaccines.
My Grandma was in the Spanish Flu Epidemic and the lessons learned.
She would of turned in her grave by the draconian treatment and not heeding lessons learned.
One example. We where banned from walking along a beach and treated as Murderers even with a Drs exemption, a Dr who learned from the Spanish Flu Epidemic.

 

[Parrot]

Dezi does not mind taking whatever he can get from Centrelink yet he does not recognise
the Government who does he think Centrelink comes under.
I hope he gets caught and gets what he deserves …
Well said Glenys .. my sentiments as well ..

 

[Knell]

{Leenie said:
I would just like to say one thing!!!! Australia is a Sovereign country , which means we are all Sovereign citizens, except this killer of our police has taken his B/S one step too far. It’s time the Death penalty was brought back to rid Australia of vermin like him and co- Horts.}

That statement is only half right. Australia IS a sovereign nation. But, that does NOT make us ‘sovereign citizens’. That term is exactly what is used by conspiracy groups to push anti-government ideas. We ALL live under the same laws and no amount of twisting legal terms changes that fact.

 

[Leenie]

We
I

{Leenie said:
I would just like to say one thing!!!! Australia is a Sovereign country , which means we are all Sovereign citizens, except this killer of our police has taken his B/S one step too far. It’s time the Death penalty was brought back to rid Australia of vermin like him and co- Horts.}

That statement is only half right. Australia IS a sovereign nation. But, that does NOT make us ‘sovereign citizens’. That term is exactly what is used by conspiracy groups to push anti-government ideas. We ALL live under the same laws and no amount of twisting legal terms changes that fact.

I stand corrected ,being a Sovereign country I naturally assumed we were all sovereign citizens.

 

[Suzanne rose]

We
I

I stand corrected ,being a Sovereign country I naturally assumed we were all sovereign citizens.

You would think so ah Knell will always judge

 

[Knell]

You would think so ah Knell will always judge

Pointing out a factual error isn't judgment — but assuming you know my motives? Now that’s judgmental.
You weren’t part of the exchange, the correction was accepted (or so it seemed), and yet here you are — judging me for responding factually. Are you lost, or just desperate for attention? Either way, this conversation might be a few IQ points above your comfort zone.
Once again, your school-yard skankiness (i.e. running in to make personal attacks) in on display.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Pointing out a factual error isn't judgment — but assuming you know my motives? Now that’s judgmental.
You weren’t part of the exchange, the correction was accepted (or so it seemed), and yet here you are — judging me for responding factually. Are you lost, or just desperate for attention? Either way, this conversation might be a few IQ points above your comfort zone.
Once again, your school-yard skankiness (i.e. running in to make personal attacks) in on display.

I knew you would respond and with a remark of a narcissist

 

[Leenie]

Pointing out a factual error isn't judgment — but assuming you know my motives? Now that’s judgmental.
You weren’t part of the exchange, the correction was accepted (or so it seemed), and yet here you are — judging me for responding factually. Are you lost, or just desperate for attention? Either way, this conversation might be a few IQ points above your comfort zone.
Once again, your school-yard skankiness (i.e. running in to make personal attacks) in on display.

S R has every right to reply , I still say we are sovereign citizens, that’s my opinion, there was no mention of of our laws as we are not that dumb to think otherwise , we all live by our laws or I thought we did . I was not using sovereign citizen as this killer did . So don’t try to put me in the same category . Done.