Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Hume was right. The Prime Minister's right. Of course there are substantial checks and balances. But any program, any government program, any business, is exposed to the risk of fraud, and if and when fraud does occur you take appropriate action. Appropriate action was taken. This is not a widespread problem. It is an isolated problem. But as is appropriate—

An opposition senator: Fraud!

There is fraud in relation to jobseeker. Do you suggest that we should close down the entire jobseeker program because there is a risk of fraud? There is a risk of fraud in relation to any government program and, of course, you put appropriate checks and balances in place, which does not entirely eliminate the risk of fraud but when fraud is detected you take action. That is what is happening, consistent with the laws that this parliament passed with your support.