Mr ROBERT (Fadden—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Minister for Government Services) (15:07): As I announced on 19 November last year, the government had come to the conclusion, after decades and decades of averaged ATO income data being used—at least back to 1994— Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER: Members on my left! Mr ROBERT: and I announced on 19 November that the use of raising a debt solely or partially based on averaged income data from the ATO was not sufficient. It was being used for at least 26 years, back to the Keating era, but it was this government that said it was not sufficient. And, based on the lack of sufficiency of proof points for a debt to be crystallised, that's when the government acted. But, be under no doubt, the automatic raising of debts is not an issue here—governments of all persuasions have been doing this quite rightly and quite legitimately for a long time. In the 2007-08 financial year, there was $1.8 billion, and in 2008-09 there was $1.9 billion—the list goes on. It's a legitimate process of government, but the use of income average— The SPEAKER: The minister will resume his seat. The member for Maribyrnong on a point of order. Mr Shorten: A point of order on relevance: acknowledging a preamble, my question specifically said: Why did the government pay $1.2 billion if you were perfectly legal? Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER: Members on both sides! The minister has the call. Mr ROBERT: As I announced on 19 November last year, the government came to the conclusion that a process that had been going for three decades lacked sufficiency. Therefore, the government responded. The government's data goes back—in terms of computing power—to 2015. Hence, we were able to provide refunds to Australians because our data went back to 2015, and we responded because of a lack of sufficiency. Hence, to date, we have paid back $707.3 million in refunds to 406,672 people. But considering the use of averaged income data has been going back for two or three decades, Australians always have the right to seek for their debts to be reviewed at any time. If there are Australians who believe that their debt going back that amount of time was raised solely or partially, and can demonstrate that, they should come to Services Australia and ask for a review. It was on that basis, after three decades, that the government reached the point of the lack of sufficiency and acted lawfully.