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Centrelink pursuing debts that are more than 40 years old despite agreeing to waive old arrears

Rising2 outlets reported this in 8 reports over 2 days - a further 6 reports reprinted copy already published elsewhere
After publishing: 1 description edited1 change
  1. The Guardian Worldseen 11 Aug, 03:24description edited
    what the description said, before and after

    Advocates and legal bodies want the debt to be made ‘out of bounds’ given how hard it is to determine its accuracy Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Centrelink is pursuing $4.93bn in unpaid debts, with the oldest dating back more than 40 years, despite the government agreeing to implement a six-year statute of limitations on debt recovery. A growing list of advocates, including peak legal body Economic Justice Australia, want the debts wiped, while Australia’s leading...

    Advocates and legal bodies want the debt to be made ‘out of bounds’ given how hard it is to determine its accuracy Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Centrelink is pursuing $4.93bn in unpaid debts, with the oldest dating back more than 40 years, despite the government agreeing to implement a six-year statute of limitations on debt recovery. A growing list of advocates, including peak legal body Economic Justice...

  1. 8 Aug, 20:00Centrelink pursuing debts that are more than 40 years old despite agreeing to waive old arrears1 outlet
  2. 21 Aug, 02:53Centrelink is making 'too many mistakes' on pension debts: check now7 outlets
original reportingcopies
Sat, 8 August 2026peak 7 reports on Fri, 21 August 2026Fri, 21 August 2026

What it is about

CentrelinkEconomic JusticeAustraliaAdam TraffordPeter SutherlandKeegan CarrollPhoebe LoomesWelfare Rights CentreServices AustraliaSeniors Rights ServiceNational Debt HelplineLaw SchoolAustralian National University Law SchoolFinancial Rights Legal CentreA Services AustraliaRoyal CommissionCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, AustraliaSydney, New South Wales, AustraliaAustralianAustralians

Who published it, and when

original reportcopyedited after publishingfirst to report
The Guardian World1 original report - edited after publishing
tenterfieldstar.com.au1 original report
newcastleherald.com.au1 copy echoing tenterfieldstar.com.au
bluemountainsgazette.com.au1 copy echoing tenterfieldstar.com.au
merimbulanewsweekly.com.au1 copy echoing tenterfieldstar.com.au
narrominenewsonline.com.au1 copy echoing tenterfieldstar.com.au
lithgowmercury.com.au1 copy echoing tenterfieldstar.com.au
bunburymail.com.au1 copy echoing tenterfieldstar.com.au
8 Aug, 20:00over 12 days21 Aug, 02:53

How it spread - 2 original reports, 6 reprints

  1. Sat, 8 August 2026

    1 report
    • The Guardian World20:00first to reportedited after publishing

      Advocates and legal bodies want the debt to be made ‘out of bounds’ given how hard it is to determine its accuracy Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Centrelink is pursuing $4.93bn in unpaid debts, with the oldest dating back more than 40 years, despite the government agreeing to implement a six-year statute of limitations on debt recovery. A growing list of advocates, including peak legal body Economic Justice...

  2. Fri, 21 August 2026

    1 report

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