As the Centrelink debt recovery scandal grew and grew and grew over the holiday period, the responsible politician -- human services minister Alan Tudge -- was nowhere to be seen. He was on holiday, and certainly didn't rush back to work when all hell was breaking loose as people were issued with thousands of dollars in debts they claimed they didn't owe, Centrelink's phone services were swamped, and huge questions were raised over the fairness and accuracy of the new automated system.
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Despite pressure from Labor, the crossbench, legal groups, welfare experts and more, Tudge told host Hamish McDonald that the government would not be stopping the automated debt recovery program. This comes despite widespread claims that incorrect debts are being issued, people are being forced to begin paying back thousands in debts that they dispute, and that legal experts claim the government could be sued over the program.
Tudge said he was not aware of people claiming to have been issued incorrect debts (if the minister is reading, he can find such claims here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here).