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

Paused, suspended—you can use whatever terms you'd like, senator. However, the pause that was put in place in February remains in place today. I apologise about the technicality of my response coming here, but I'm afraid you're going to have to cop it. Can I just reiterate once again: debt recovery as it was in place in February has not recommenced, I will recommit that statement—that makes it 11 times that I've said it. On 2 July this year, as is normal practice, a compliance activity resumed. On 22 July this year, that issue was brought to my attention and the attention of the minister who is responsible for human services and Centrelink, Minister Robert. At that time, an instruction was given to the department that not only should the debt recovery pause remain in place but that no further compliance activity should occur in the Townsville area or the affected post codes. That has subsequently happened.

Last night, following the receipt of your heavily redacted letter—which was quite difficult to get to the bottom of—I asked the department to undertake a review to determine whether any other such letters as the one that you provided me with yesterday have been sent out in the area that's been affected by this pause. I will report back to this chamber as a result of that investigation, but what I would say and I will continue to say—