Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

Services Australia makes over $180 billion in payments each year. Australians rightly expect the government to be resolute custodians of these taxpayer funds and work diligently to prevent and recover overpayments. When the income compliance program was established, it was on the basis of longstanding historical practice of many governments—Labor and coalition—and the understandings of the law at the time. As the government's understanding changed, it responded appropriately to refund all payments on debts raised that were wholly or partly relying on the use of the averaged ATO income data. There is also a court matter underway, as well as a Senate inquiry. A long-running royal commission won't help people get their refunds.

(The President—Senator Ryan)

Question negatived.