Department apologises for ‘potential confusion and distress’ after multiple IT issues and payments potentially cancelled in error

Australia’s controversial mutual obligations framework is on pause after a series of IT issues that have hit the system, as two separate reviews are conducted into the legality of the systems that monitor mutual obligations and have the power to cancel Centrelink payments.

The mutual obligations scheme forces jobseekers to complete tasks such as applying for jobs or attending training, or have their payments stopped.

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