Senate debates

Wednesday, 15 August 2018

Questions without Notice

Centrelink

2:22 pm

Photo of Concetta Fierravanti-WellsConcetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

Can I just for the record state that our policy has not changed. When the minister became aware of debt notices issued, including to farmers and mentally ill and unstable people, he immediately spoke to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services and asked for the collection of debts from these groups to be paused, pending a full investigation by the secretary of human services. He asked the secretary to report to him within the next fortnight; in the meantime the program is on hold.

I would also add that a full contingent of 700 social workers has been made available to support each one of these individuals should they require support. We are offering for people to call at any time that suits them to update or confirm their details, with comprehensive support.

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