Changes to Centrelink robo-debt recovery
18 February 2017
Green Left Weekly
The federal government announced changes to Centrelink’s controversial automated debt recovery system on February 14.
CPSU
Robo Debt Announcement A Minor Improvement But Not A Solution
15 February 2017
Community and Public Sector Union
The CPSU says the Turnbull Government has made minor improvements to its Centrelink robo-debt system, but has not addressed the fundamental flaws in the system.
CPSU Backs Wilkie Bill on Centerlink Robo-Debt
13 February 2017
Community and Public Sector Union
The CPSU has welcomed independent MP Andrew Wilkie’s private member’s bill to help protect Centrelink customers caught up in the robo-debt crisis.
Mr Wilkie’s proposed legislation would prevent the Department of Human Services from receiving payments from customers for debts under review.
Centrelink boss Kathryn Campbell flies in for meeting with unhappy Tasmanian staff
17 February 2017
Mercury
The Mercury understands that the meeting was held in the Hobart Town Hall and Ms Campbell is in the state for three hours.
Community Public Service Union Tasmania secretary Paul Blake said Ms Campbell has held similiar question and answer sessions around the country.
Mr Blake said staff questions are vetted beforehand.
The controversial robo-debt policy and protracted staff wage negotiations are the source of growing frustration among union members, he said.
Centrelink debt system: government knew of error risks 'for decades'
17 February 2017
Guardian
The man who led the first audit of Centrelink data-matching in 1999 says the government has known for decades that the process was prone to error without human oversight.
John Mayger, a retired auditor with the Department of Social Services, said his audit showed that detecting overpayments through data-matching was problematic without a high degree of staff vetting to provide an effective balance.
Centrelink no longer requires immediate payment from those sent robo-debt letters
15 February 2017
Guardian
Government softens debt recovery system after backlash over recipients being required to pay back money even if they are disputing the debt
The wait continues at Centrelink and tips to navigate it
17 February 2017
The Age
Centrelink's phone lines are about to get better… no really, they're meant to, but you just have to wait a little longer for it to happen.
That's the line I'm getting from the Department of Human Services, which has copped a hammering in recent weeks over the government's controversial robo debt recovery scheme and its high error rates in clawing back overpaid welfare payments.
DHS debt recovery attracts Senate probe
14 February 2017
PS News
The Senate has voted to conduct an enquiry into the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) automated debt recovery system.
Senator Rachel Siewert (Greens) said the inquiry would enable those who had been affected to have a voice.
Moves to stop Centrelink ‘illegal’ strikes
10 February 2017
The Australian
The Turnbull government is seeking to stop six days of industrial action planned by Centrelink and Medicare staff next week, claiming it is illegal under the Fair Work Act.
The Department of Human Services told the Fair Work Commission the action was designed to pressure the government over the so-called Centrelink “robo-debt crisis” and not in support of bargaining.
Public sector union to use Centrelink Senate inquiry to highlight departmental 'dysfunction'
8 February 2017
ZD Net
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has said its members will use the Senate inquiry into the Centrelink automated debt recovery debacle to reveal the full extent of "dysfunction" in the Department of Human Services (DHS).
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert will chair the investigation after the Australian Senate passed a motion on Wednesday to initiate an inquiry into the system that has some seen letters demanding money repayment sent in error to welfare recipients.
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