The Australian government has admitted that a software glitch in the automated system of the controversial mutual obligations scheme led to the illegal suspension of around 300,000 Centrelink payments, as reported by the Guardian. A representative of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations told a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday that the number was “in the vicinity of 300,000” cases.
Those affected were people who, after missing a compulsory activity, were not given enough time to reconnect with a job provider. The system automatically stopped payments without observing the legally required waiting period.
Anthony Albanese is now under pressure to compensate those affected and reform the system. The opposition accuses the government of having known about the problem for years without taking action. The exact financial impact on those affected remains unclear.
Source: www.theguardian.com
