Centrelink robo-debt program creating "climate of fear"
The Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) has accused the Government of creating a “climate of fear” in the rollout of its automated debt recovery process.
Appearing before a parliamentary committee investigating the highly criticised robo-debt program, ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie criticised the Government for the manner in which the new process has been announced and installed.
Ms Goldie told the committee, “What this system has done is create a climate where people have been frightened, indeed people have been bullied, into complying.
“The impact of this rob-debt system, as it has come to be known, has been to cause extensive distress and suffering right across the community with thousands of people affected. In the lead-up to this program being unleashed there was a perception created that if you do not comply, you may go to jail. We believe the actions of the government has culminated in creating a serious climate of fear around this program.”
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which represents Centrelink workers, also appeared before the inquiry, warning that staff in the branches were under increasing pressure from upper management and aggressive clients.
CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood said, “It isn't an exaggeration to say that the Department of Human Services is an agency in crisis.”
At the same time, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) tried to distance itself from the debacle. ATO Deputy Commissioner Greg Williams also appeared before the hearing, but argued, “We are involved in identity matching and the provision of data, but we are not involved in the data-matching that occurs on the DSS/DHS side. We are trying to maintain the level of integrity in the role of the ATO in this exercise.”
What’s your take on this whole debacle? Do you think it’s been overblown by the media? Have people been unfairly targeted? Do you feel for Centrelink staff?
Let us know what you think.
Related links:
Pensioners next on Centrelink’s hit list
Centrelink concedes debt review system is too slow
Government knew of potential Centrelink problems