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Centrelink's debt-recovery system is working, Human Services Minister Alan Tudge says

11 January 2017
Stephanie Anderson
ABC News

Human Services Minister Alan Tudge says the Government will not scrap Centrelink's debt-recovery system, despite ongoing warnings over inaccuracies.

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Mr Tudge, who this week returned from holidays, rejected assertions people were being issued with unfounded debt notices or having difficulties in updating their details.

He told the ABC the Government would retain the system, rejecting reports it was flawed.

"The system is working and we will continue with that system," he said.

"I'm not aware of individuals who are completely convinced that they don't owe money but have been given a debt notice."

Mr Tudge rejected reports clients trying to update their details had been struggling to contact Centrelink on the phone, instead asking people to be patient if they were required to wait "longer than what they would like to wait".

He also dismissed concerns raised by Paul Shetler — the former head of the Digital Transformation Agency — who said the system had "diabolical" consequences for many Australians.