Centrelink's controversial debt recovery system must be urgently suspended, according to the public sector union which has warned staff are already struggling to cope.
The CPSU says service standards have already dropped to “unacceptable levels” following thousands of job cuts in the Department of Human Services, and now the latest scandal is piling on more pressure.
“This scheme is an absolute nightmare for thousands of Centrelink customers who’ve done absolutely nothing wrong, and the staff who are bearing the brunt of this mess,” assistant national secretary Michael Tull said.
Mr Tull said the union held serious concerns about Centrelink’s ability to cope in coming months, with the annual surge in students applying for support as well as dealing with complaints about letters falsely claiming welfare recipients owe money or exaggerating the amount.