Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has criticised the Federal Government over Centrelink's new debt recovery system, saying it was designed by a "dunderhead".
Mr Wilkie said the system was flawed and has called for it to be suspended, telling reporters in Hobart that many of the letters sent to welfare recipients were "just plain wrong".
"The methodology behind the calculation is wrong and it's obviously wrong — I mean, it was designed by a dunderhead," he said.
Mr Wilkie blamed the Government and Social Services Minister Christian Porter, who yesterday backed the system.
He said Mr Porter needed to acknowledge the sensitivity of the situation and harm it was causing among "frightened" recipients.
"It is not good enough for a minister to stand up yesterday or today and to crow about something that is terrifying Australians and bringing some Australians to the brink of suicide," he said.