Government cracking down people who owe money to the taxpayer

The government is cracking down people who owe money to the taxpayer.

Human Services Minister Alan Tudge told Tom Elliott there are about 270,000 people who know they owe public money, but refuse to repay it.

That’s a total of $870m.

Mr Tudge said people who don’t agree to a repayment plan will be charged 9% interest on their debt.

The government has also removed a statute of limitation which wiped the slate clean after six years.

Mr Tudge also said people in debt to the government may also be prevented from leaving the country.

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