Call for Delay in Expansion of Centrelink Debt Recovery Program

The Hodgman Liberal Government is committing to supporting vulnerable Tasmanians.

Today, I have written to the Federal Minister for Human Services, Alan Tudge, on behalf of Tasmanians impacted by the Centrelink debt recovery program.

I have made clear to Minister Tudge that while the Tasmanian Government supports the intention of ensuring that people only receive what they are entitled to, we are concerned about the issuing of incorrect debt notices and the impact this is having on vulnerable Tasmanians and their families who have been inadvertently caught up in this process.

Tasmanian community services organisations have reported a significant increase in requests for support from people in our community.

The recent announcement that families, pensioners and people living with disability will be added to the debt recovery program adds to the concern given the high percentage of Tasmanians who are in receipt of such payments.

For these reasons, we have urged Minister Tudge to delay the further expansion of the debt recovery program until he is confident that the process is correct.
Jacquie Petrusma, Minister for Human Services