PM blocks robodebt hearing

CALLS for a royal commission into the robodebt scheme are growing louder but Scott Morrison insists there is no need because it is being fixed.

Labor and the Greens are demanding a probe into the discredited robodebt scheme, which is also facing a class action alongside an ongoing Senate inquiry.

But the Prime Minister says the Government is dealing with the issue.

“We’re aware of what the issue is and we’re fixing the problem, we’re getting the payments made,” he said in the NSW south coast town of Eden yesterday.

Mr Morrison has apologised for the scheme and promised to reimburse more than 300,000 people targeted.

The repayments will exceed $700 million.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese wants the royal commission to uncover when the government knew the program was illegal.

Mr Albanese shared the story of a man from his electorate who was on welfare because he was undergoing chemotherapy and was chased for a robodebt.

“That added to the traumatic impact on his health. And that’s just one story — there are thousands of stories just like that,” he said.

Labor says the inquiry could also examine how much the scheme cost taxpayers, how many debts were issued and how many harmed.

The Greens have welcomed Labor’s support, with Senator Rachel Siewert saying the party would continue campaigning for justice.

“The Government has obfuscated and denied what has happened for years and they will continue to do so unless we have a formal judicial review,” Senator Siewert said.

The scheme matched Australian Taxation Office and Centrelink data to claw back overpaid welfare payments.

It was ruled unlawful last year.

The class action looks set to go to trial in the Federal Court, starting in September. people were