20ARecoverable payments

#### 20A Recoverable payments (1) If, apart from this subsection, the Commonwealth does not have power under this Act to pay an amount (the relevant amount) to a person (the recipient) purportedly as a benefit, then the Commonwealth may pay the relevant amount to the recipient. Recovery (2) If a payment is made under subsection (1) to the recipient, the relevant amount: (a) is a debt due to the Commonwealth by the recipient; and (b) may be recovered by the Secretary of the Department, on behalf of the Commonwealth, in a court of competent jurisdiction. Appropriation (3) For the purposes of subsection 12A(5), if a payment under subsection (1) of this section relates to a benefit under subsection 12A(2), the payment is taken to be a benefit under subsection 12A(2). (4) For the purposes of section 14 (other than paragraph (a) of that section), if a payment under subsection (1) of this section relates to a pension under this Act, the payment is taken to be a pension under this Act. (5) For the purposes of subsection 17AB(7), if a payment under subsection (1) of this section relates to an amount under subsection 17AB(6), the payment is taken to be an amount under subsection 17AB(6). Benefit (6) For the purposes of this section, benefit means: (a) a pension under this Act; or (b) a benefit under subsection 12A(2); or (c) an amount under subsection 17AB(6).