Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her follow-up question. Without being specific about any particular cases, which I have indicated that I will not be prepared to do, broadly speaking, as the Minister for Families and Social Services, my focus is not on debt recovery. My focus is on two things. One is to make sure that my policies are developed in such a way so that people don't incur debt in the first place. The other is in providing a fair and sustainable social welfare system going into the future. This also includes ensuring that people get what they deserve and what they are entitled to. When somebody does receive a payment for which they are not entitled, there is a reasonable expectation in this place and a reasonable expectation in the wider Australian community that we will recover that debt. In certain circumstances, there is an argument where we are more than happy to speak to individuals who have specific circumstances to assist them through difficult times. (Time expired)