Draconian approach

When the employer makes a mistake and overpays an employee, when I last looked, the employee was not obliged to pay back any more than $1 a week, although most people would repay the full sum straight away for minor amounts.

However, when Inland Revenue or the Ministry of Social Development make such a mistake, such as overpaying Family Tax Credits, they take a much more draconian and aggressive approach, like they are above the law and that they do not make mistakes. What does the law say?

Carole Naylor, Papakowhai