Tasmanian charities are struggling to meet demand, and the Centrelink debt-recovery program is getting some of the blame.
The Tasmanian Council of Social Service (TasCOSS) said Centrelink’s controversial debt recovery program was adding to families’ financial stress.
TasCOSS chief executive Kym Goodes said some people could not afford to make repayments on their debts to Centrelink.
“We think that there is a compounding impact based on Centrelink debt recovery,” she said.
“For some families, having small amounts deducted from their Centrelink payments, when you’re already only living on $36 a day, this can be a really, really damaging impact on your family budget.”
The Launceston Community Legal Centre said four times as many people were enquiring about Centrelink debts compared with the same time last year …
