On 8 February 2017, the Senate referred the issue of the ‘auto-debt recovery’ of Centrelink payments to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and a report.

The focus of the Inquiry is on the impact of Government automated debt collection processes on the aged, families with young children, students, people with disability, jobseekers and others affected by the process. The title of the Inquiry is The design, scope, cost-benefit analysis, contracts awarded and implementation associated with the Better Management of the Social Welfare System initiative.

Uniting Communities attended the public hearing held in Adelaide on 10 April and prepared a submission.