Alan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

When there is a discrepancy, the person gets an opportunity to explain why there is a discrepancy. The Labor Party introduced that. We use the same methodology today but we use slightly more automation in order to do it.

I would like to specifically address the issue of the release of Andie Fox's information, which is the subject of the particular motion, along with the many other allegations that have been made. As the member would know, the personal information about welfare recipients may be used by the Department for social security law or family assistance law purposes in order to correct the record. The Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and section 162 of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999 allow the department to correct the record in cases where a person makes a public statement or complaint about the department's handling of their welfare payments that does not accord with the records which we have, including via the media. As such, disclosure made for the purpose of social security law or the family assistance law does not need to be formally authorised by the secretary. Although, I will just point out—

Opposition members interjecting—

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