Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston. On Tuesday, when asked about the Liberal-National government's targeting of Townsville flood victims as part of its robo-debt program, the minister told the Senate four times—and I quote: 'There has been no debt recovery undertaken in the Townsville area.' Does the minister stand by her statement?

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

I thank Senator Green for her follow-up question in relation to this matter. As I advised the senator in the chamber on Wednesday, following her question on Tuesday, I contacted and spoke to the mayor of Townsville, Mayor Jenny Hill, and explained to her that the Department of Social Services had not commenced debt recovery in the Townsville area, and I expressed to the mayor that there was no intention for that to occur.

I did, however, say at the time—and I also relayed this information to the senator opposite on Wednesday—that if there had been any instance of debt recovery in Townsville, and they were aware of it, that they should please bring it to my attention so that I can take action, because I stand by my comments that no debt recovery has commenced in Townsville. If, by some fluke or accident, a debt recovery action has been undertaken of which I am unaware, I wish to know it so that I can stop it.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Green, a supplementary question.

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Despite the minister giving her assurance to the Senate four times, the minister's own department has directly contradicted the minister, telling the Townsville Bulletin that compliance activity has resumed this month. Can the minister explain to the Senate why her own department contradicted her, only one day after she gave assurances to the Senate?

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

I thank the senator for her question. I will reiterate my comments: I give an absolute undertaking to this chamber that debt recovery has not commenced in Townsville, and if my agency, or any agency that falls within my portfolio, has made that comment then they were wrong. It has not commenced and it will not be commencing in the foreseeable future.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Green, a final supplementary question.

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Townsville Community Legal Service solicitor Michael Murray says that there has been a steady increase in recent weeks of people seeking advice after being hit with a Centrelink debt notice. Will the minister immediately direct her department to cease compliance activity in the Townsville area and withdraw any notices issued this month?

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

I'm not sure if you listened to my response to the question. I said that if anybody has got a debt notice and if you, Senator Green, have got a debt notice that's been issued—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, on my left! Order! Senator Ruston.

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

In response to your question, as I said to an earlier question, to the best of my knowledge, there has been no debt recovery action taken in Townsville. However, as I said to Mayor Hill and to you in this chamber, privately and on camera: if you have any instance at all then please provide me with the evidence and I will ensure that it is immediately stopped. If you have any evidence at all of anybody in the Townsville area having received a debt recovery notice, could you please bring it to my attention and I will ensure it is immediately stopped.